EPID-05EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BRAIN AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors in adolescents and young adults (AYA) are a distinct group of tumors that pose challenges to treatment and reporting. Cancer that occurs in this age group is biologically distinct from those in other age groups and poses significant challenges for clinicians. While cancer survival has been improving overall, AYA have not experienced these same increases and in some cases may have worse survival than those over 40 years. METHODS: Using data from 51 central cancer registries from 2007-2011, we calculated the average annual age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) per 100,000 population of brain and CNS tumors in AYA by histologic type. We also calculate the relative survival after diagnosis using data from 18 SEER registries from 1995-2011. RESULTS: Approximately 15% of all brain and CNS tumors occur in the AYA age group, 51,118 total tumors from 2007-2011. The most common histologies are tumors of the pituitary (AAIR: 2.90), meningioma (AAIR: 1.68), and nerve sheath tumors (AAIR: 0.88). Gliomas account for ∼29% of all tumors. AYA have higher rates of relative survival than adults 40+ for all histologic types. One-year relative survival for most tumor types is higher for AYA than children <15 years old, but 10-year survival is usually higher for children as compared to AYA. CONCLUSION: Brain tumors are a significant source of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in adolescents and young adults. This age group is diagnosed with unique groups of cancers that require separate reporting in order to accurately portray their impact in these populations.