Disease burden, risk factors, and trends of primary central nervous system (CNS) cancer: A global study of registries data

Authors: Huang J, Chan SC, Lok V, Zhang L, Lin X, Lucero-Prisno DE, Xu W, Zheng ZJ, Elcarte E, Withers M, Wong MCS; NCD Global Health Research Group; Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)

Year: 2023 May 4

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Neuro-Oncology

Institution: NCD Global Health Research Group; Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)

DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac213

URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10158137/

Abstract

Overview

This study aimed to evaluate the global incidence, mortality, associated risk factors, and temporal trends of central nervous system (CNS) cancer by sex, age, and country. Data was extracted from multiple reputable sources including GLOBOCAN (2020), Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, WHO mortality database, Nordic Cancer Registries, and the SEER Program. Analysis was performed using Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) from Joinpoint regression analysis with 95% confidence intervals across different age groups.

Findings

  • Global age-standardized rates (ASRs) of CNS cancer incidence and mortality were 3.5 and 2.8 per 100,000, respectively.
  • Highest incidence was in Southern Europe (ASR = 6.0), and highest mortality in Western Asia (ASR = 4.2).
  • Key risk factors for higher incidence and mortality included:
    • Human Development Index (HDI)
    • Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita
    • Traumatic brain injuries
    • Occupational carcinogen exposure
    • Mobile phone use
  • There were stable and mixed trends overall, but a significant increase in incidence was observed in younger male populations in several countries, most prominently Slovakia.
  • Several meta-analyses and studies reviewed showed a significant association between long-term ipsilateral mobile phone use and increased risk of glioma and CNS cancer incidence, especially with cumulative call time over 1000 hours.

Conclusion

While overall global trends have remained stable, rising incidence and mortality in young males and some high-HDI countries suggest important risk factors remain inadequately controlled. Notably, both incidence and mortality of CNS cancers were associated with mobile phone use, reinforcing concerns about links between electromagnetic field exposure and brain tumors. Continued public health vigilance and further research into these epidemiological trends are warranted.

CNS cancer brain tumor epidemiology mobile phone use occupational exposure risk factors latency
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