Brain Tumor Res Treat.  2013 Apr;1(1):16-23. 10.14791/btrt.2013.1.1.16.

An Updated Nationwide Epidemiology of Primary Brain Tumors in Republic of Korea

• Jung KW
• Ha J
• Lee SH
• Won YJ
• Yoo H

• KMID: 2165217
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14791/btrt.2013.1.1.16

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this report is to provide accurate nationwide epidemiologic data on primary brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors in Republic of Korea. In 2010, we had reported first nationwide epidemiologic data on primary brain tumors diagnosed in 2005. In this report, we updated the data by analyzing primary brain and CNS tumors diagnosed in 2010 using the data from national cancer incidence database.
METHODS
Data on primary brain and CNS tumors diagnosed in 2010 were collected from the Korean Central Cancer Registry. Crude and age-standardized rates were calculated in terms of gender, age, and histological type.
RESULTS
A total of 10,004 patients diagnosed with primary brain and CNS tumors in 2010 were included in this study. Brain and CNS tumors occurred in females more often than in males (female to male, 1.59 : 1). The most common tumor was meningioma (35.5%). Pituitary tumors (18.7%), gliomas (15.1%), and nerve sheath tumors (10.3%) were followed in incidence. Glioblastoma accounted for 34.6% of all gliomas. In children (<20 years), sellar region tumors (pituitary and craniopharyngioma), embryonal/primitive/medulloblastoma, and germ cell tumors were the most common tumors.
CONCLUSION
Data from this study should provide valuable information regarding the primary brain tumors epidemiology in Republic of Korea.

Keyword

Epidemiology; Brain; Central nervous system; Tumor; Registry; Korea

MeSH Terms

Brain
Brain Neoplasms*
Central Nervous System
Child
Epidemiology*
Female
Glioblastoma
Glioma
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Male
Meningioma
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal
Nerve Sheath Neoplasms
Pituitary Neoplasms
Republic of Korea*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Distribution of primary Brain and CNS tumors according to sex and behavior, Republic of Korea, 2010. CNS: central nervous system.

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  Fig. 2 Distribution of all Brain and CNS tumors according to the topography, Republic of Korea, 2010. CNS: central nervous system.

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  Fig. 3 Distribution of primary brain and CNS tumors according to age for selected histology, Republic of Korea, 2010. CNS: central nervous system.

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  Fig. 4 Distribution of brain and CNS tumors according to the topography and histology, Republic of Korea, 2010. CNS: central nervous system, NOS: not otherwise specified.

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  Fig. 5 Incidence according to sex and histology, Republic of Korea, 2010. NOS: not otherwise specified.

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  Fig. 6 Distribution of primary brain and CNS tumors according to the topography and histology in children, Republic of Korea, 2010. CNS: central nervous system, NOS: not otherwise specified.

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