Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BackgroundBrain and other central nervous system (CNS) cancers are the leading cause of U.S. pediatric cancer mortality. Incidence trends can provide etiologic insight. We report trends in incidence rates of pediatric malignant CNS cancers and pilocytic astrocytoma (nonmalignant but historically registered) in the United States.MethodsAge-standardized incidence rates and annual percent changes (APC) in rates during 1998 to 2013 were calculated for children aged 0 to 19, stratified by subtype, age, sex, and for gliomas, histology and location. We estimated the absolute change in number of cases diagnosed U.S.-wide during 2013 compared with the expected number of cases had 1998 rates remained stable.ResultsRates of all pediatric malignant CNS cancer combined (n = 18,612) did not change [APC: 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.21-0.53]. There were statistically significant changes in several subtypes; however, glioma incidence (n = 10,664) increased by 0.77% per year (95% CI: 0.29-1.26), embryonal cancer rates (n = 5,423) decreased by 0.88% per year (95% CI: -1.33 to -0.43), and pilocytic astrocytoma rates (n = 6,858) increased by 0.89% per year (95% CI: 0.21-1.58). Of the 1,171 malignant tumors and 450 pilocytic astrocytomas diagnosed in U.S. children in 2013, we estimated 120 excess gliomas, 94 excess pilocytic astrocytomas, and 72 fewer embryonal CNS tumors than would be expected had 1998 rates remained stable.ConclusionsThe gradual changes in incidence we observed for specific types of pediatric CNS cancers are likely due to a combination of changes in classification and diagnosis and true changes in CNS cancer.ImpactContinued surveillance of pediatric CNS tumors should remain a priority, given their significant contribution to pediatric cancer-related deaths.

Original publication

DOI

10.1158/1055-9965.epi-18-0784

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology

Publication Date

03/2019

Volume

28

Pages

522 - 530

Addresses

Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland. diana.withrow@nih.gov.

Keywords

Humans, Central Nervous System Neoplasms, SEER Program, Incidence, Time Factors, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Infant, Infant, Newborn, United States, Female, Male, Young Adult