BackgroundThis report aims to provide accurate nationwide epidemiologic data on primary brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the Republic of Korea. We updated the data by analyzing primary brain and CNS tumors diagnosed in 2013 using the data from the national cancer incidence database.MethodsData on primary brain and CNS tumors diagnosed in 2013 were collected from the Korean Central Cancer Registry. Crude and age-standardized rates were calculated in terms of gender, age, and histological type.ResultsA total of 11,827 patients were diagnosed with primary brain and CNS tumors in 2013. Brain and CNS tumors occurred in females more often than in males (female:male, 1.70:1). The most common tumor was meningioma (37.3%). Pituitary tumors (18.0%), gliomas (12.7%), and nerve sheath tumors (12.3%) followed in incidence. Glioblastomas accounted for 41.8% of all gliomas. In children (<19 years), sellar region tumors (pituitary and craniopharyngioma), embryonal/primitive/medulloblastoma, and germ cell tumors were the most common tumors.ConclusionThis study should provide valuable information regarding the primary brain tumor epidemiology in Republic of Korea.

PurposeMalignant central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors (GCTs), although rare, are thought to occur more frequently among Asians. However, a recent population-based study revealed no differences in GCT incidence between Asians and Caucasians. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the incidence and survival rates of CNS GCTs using the national cancer incidence database, and to compare these rates to those in the United States and Japan.Materials and MethodsWe extracted CNS GCT patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2012 from the Korea Central Cancer Registry database. Age-standardized rates (ASRs), annual percentage change, and the male-female incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated. To estimate the survival rate, we used data for patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2010 and followed their cases until December 31, 2013.ResultsThe ASR for CNS GCT between 2005 and 2012 was 0.179 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval, 0.166 to 0.193), with an overall male-to-female (M:F) IRR of 2.95:1. However, when stratified by site, the M:F IRR was 13.62:1 for tumors of the pineal region and 1.87:1 for those located in nonpineal regions. The most frequent histologic type was germinoma (76.0%), and the most frequent location was the suprasellar region (48.5%). The 5-year survival rate of germinoma patients was 95.3%.ConclusionThe incidence rate of CNS GCTs in Korea during 2005-2012 was 0.179 per 100,000, which was similar to that of the Asian/Pacific Islander subpopulation in the United States. Moreover, the CNS GCT survival rate in Korea was similar to rates in Japan and the United States.

ObjectiveThe 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.MethodsData 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.ResultsA 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.ConclusionData from this study should provide valuable information regarding the primary brain tumors epidemiology in Republic of Korea.

PurposePrimary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an uncommon brain tumor accounting for 2%-5% of all primary brain tumors. Few population-based analyses of survival for patients with PCNSL have been conducted, particularly in Asian countries.Materials and MethodsUsing the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, 1,062 cases of PCNSL newly diagnosed from 1999 to 2009 were analyzed. The crude rate, age-standardized rate (ASR), and annual percent change were calculated. To estimate the observed survival, we restricted the data to between 1999 and 2007 and followed the cases until December 2010. The overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and piecewise Poisson regression model.ResultsThe ASR for PCNSL between 1999 and 2009 was 0.17 per 100,000, and the annual percent change from 1999 to 2009 was 8.8% (p < 0.001). The ASR of males was higher than that of females, and the older groups (60s or over) showed the largest increase in incidence rates. For all ages, the five-year survival from PCNSL was 29.9% between 1999 and 2007. Survival from PCNSL is known to show strong association with age at diagnosis.ConclusionThese results are similar to those of previous studies. Our findings may be helpful to clinicians and patients in determining long-term prognoses for PCNSL.

The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiologic characteristics and survival of patients with primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors in Korea and to compare our findings with those from the United States. Materials and Methods We collected data on primary brain and CNS tumors diagnosed between 2007 and 2016 from the Korea Central Cancer Registry. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and 5-year relative survival rates (RSRs) were evaluated. We applied the classification and definitions of the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States to our analysis for direct comparison with United States data. Results A total of 115,050 primary brain and CNS tumors were identified, and the ASR of all tumors was 22.01 per 100,000 individuals, which was lower than the 23.41 in the United States. However, the ASR of malignant tumors was significantly lower herein (4.27) than in the United States (7.08). Meningeal tumors were the most common histologic group among all tumors (ASR, 8.32). The 5-year RSR of all primary brain and other CNS tumors was 86.4%, and that of all malignant tumors was 44.1%, which was higher than the 35.8% observed in the United States. Among malignant tumors, glioblastomas had the lowest 5-year RSR (12.1%). Conclusion In Korea, malignant brain and other CNS tumors have a lower incidence and better survival outcome.