- Brain tumors are now the leading cause of cancer death in children under age 20 now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and are the third leading cause of cancer death for young adults ages 20-39.
- Because brain tumors are located at the control center for thought, emotion, and movement, their effects on an individual's physical and cognitive abilities can be devastating.
- An estimated 3,110 new cases of childhood primary brain tumors are expected to be diagnosed this year. Of these new cases, an estimated 2,330 will be in children less than 15 years of age.
- The five-year relative survival rate following diagnosis of a primary malignant brain tumor is 32.7% for males and 31.6% for females.
- At present, brain tumors are treated by surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, used either individually or in combination.
- An estimated 13,100 deaths will be attributed to primary malignant brain tumors this year.
- There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, making effective treatment very complicated.
- The incidence rate of childhood primary benign and malignant brain tumors is 3.9 cases per 100,000 person-years. The rate is higher in males than females (4.1 vs. 3.8 per 100,000 person-years).
- Brain tumors in children are different from those in adults and are often treated differently. In addition, due to either the effects of the tumor or the treatment required to control it, survivors of childhood brain tumors often have severe neurologic, neurocognitive, and psychosocial sequelae.
- The five year relative survival rates following diagnosis of primary malignant brain tumor by age of diagnosis: 0-19 years - 63.1, 20-44 years - 50.4%, 45-64 years- 14.2%, age 65 and older - 4.9%.
- Enhancing the quality of life of people with brain tumors requires access to quality specialty care, clinical trials, follow-up care, and rehabilitative services. Improving the outlook for adults and children with brain tumors requires research into the causes of and better treatments of brain tumors.
The source for the majority of this information is the 2004-2005 Primary Brain Tumors in the United States Statistical Report written by the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS).
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