189 cases of intracranial meningioma were surveyed retrospectively concerning CT-scanning, biopsy and, in majority of cases, surgery. Results shown a female/male ratio of 2.4/1 (134 vs. 55), mean age ranged from 50 to 60, the elder than 50 made up 76%. The related factors are gender, hormone level, traumata, microorganisms, and receptors. Clinical symptoms depend on the size and the site of the tumor. On epidemiology aspect, results shown a prevailing of rural female population versus urban population with an earlier age of onset, and a higher prevalence
Meningioma ; Brain Neoplasms ; epidemiology

The information obtained from epidemiology of brain tumor provide the key to the natural history of brain tumors and could be used for many different things, among others, the planning of hospitals and hospital care facilities and working out the medical requirements for each region. To cope with changing needs in this field due to the application of medical insurance to all Korean citizens from July 1. 1989, the brain tumor registries of various countries were reviewed and suggestions were made about Korean Brain Tumor Registry that should be prepared in the near future.
Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Epidemiology ; Insurance ; Korea* ; Natural History ; Registries

The terminology, basic structure of the computerized data base, and the method of registration are described in detail for the Korean Brain Tumor Registry to assure collection of complete and accurate epidemiological data set. The registry will provide population- based data for the descriptive epidemiology of brain tumor incidence and survival rates according to the location and various histological categories. It will also demonstrate time trends in incidence and survival rates. Quality control will be maintained by appropriate statistical procedures to assure complete, accurate, reliable and timely data.
Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Dataset ; Epidemiology ; Incidence ; Quality Control ; Survival Rate

Brain tumor registry is an essential element of brain tumor control strategy, providing epidemiological, management, and outcome data for patients with brain tumor. To establish a well documented and sustainable assessment of brain tumor data in Korea, the Korean Brain Tumor Study Group prepared Korean Brain Tumor Registry, which is a collaborative study involving all of the neurosurgical training hospitals in Korea. The participating hospitals will collect epidemiololgical data for the malignant, benign, uncertain and unspecified tumors of the brain. The 10th Revision of the ICD and the morphlolgy rubrics of the second edition of the ICD-O will be used to meet the international standards of tumor registry. The annual study will provide clinical information that will be disseminated to physicians, allied health personnel, administrators, health care planner, and public and private agencies. The final goal of this study is to establish the population-based national brain tumor registry.
Administrative Personnel ; Allied Health Personnel ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Neurosurgery

A total of 697 cases of intracranial and intraspinal tumors was obtained from the pathology file of Seoul National University Hospital and Children's Hospital during the period of 8 years from 1980 to 1987. These tumors were classified according to WHO classification. This study was performed to understand the recent trend of the relative frequency of the central nervous system tumors among Koreans and to compare it with the previous studies in Korea and other countries. There were 663 intracranial tumors and 34 intraspinal tumors. More common intracranial tumors were pituitary adenoma, meningioma, astrocytoma and medulloblastoma, each representing 23.4%, 20.8%, 11.8%, and 5.6%, respectively. In juvenile age group (under 15 years of age), medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, ependymoma and craniopharyngioma were more commonly encountered to be 25.6%, 21.6%, 13.6% and 12%, respectively. Both sexes were equally affected among adult group, but male preponderance was observed among juvenile group (1.49:1). Nine cases of primitive neuroectodermal tumor, a unique tumor which is not listed in WHO classification, were observed and all of them occurred before the age of 20. There were 27 metastatic tumors. Our previous study encompassing previous 17 years, 1963 to 1979, showed similar overall results except for intraspinal tumors that were more commonly encountered in previous series.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Brain Neoplasms/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sex Factors ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms/*epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: To compare the age distribution and characteristic MR imaging findings of ependymoma for each typical location within the neuraxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a recent eleven-year period, MR images of 61 patients with histologically proven ependymomas were obtained and retrospectively reviewed in terms of incidence, peak age, location, size, signal intensity, the presence or absence of cyst and hemorrhage, enhancement pattern, and other associated findings. RESULTS: Among the 61 patients, tumor location was spinal in 35 (57%), infrartentorial in 19 (31%), and supratentorial in seven (12%). In four of these seven, the tumor was located in brain parenchyma, and in most cases developed between the third and fifth decade. Approximately half of the infratentorial tumors occurred during the first decade. The signal intensity of ependymomas was nonspecific, regardless of their location. A cystic component was seen in 71% (5/7) of supratentorial, 74% (14/19) of infratentorial, and 14% (5/35) of spinal cord tumors. Forty- nine percent (17/35) of those in the spinal cord were associated with rostral and/or caudal reactive cysts. Intratumoral hemorrhage occurred in 57% (4/7) of supratentorial, 32% (6/19) of infratentorial, and 9% (3/35) of spinal cord tumors. In 17% (6/35) of spinal ependymomas, a curvilinear low T2 signal, suggesting marginal hemorrhage, was seen at the upper and/or lower margins of the tumors. Peritumoral edema occurred in 57% (4/7) of supratentorial, 16% (3/19) of infratentorial and 23% (8/35) of spinal cord tumors. Seventy-two percent (5/7) of supratentorial and 95% (18/19) of infratentorial tumors showed heterogeneous enhancement, while in 50% (17/34) of spinal cord tumors, enhancement was homogeneous. CONCLUSION: Even though the MR imaging findings of ependymomas vary and are nonspecific, awareness of these findings, and of tumor distribution according to age, is helpful and increases the likelihood of correct preoperative clinical diagnosis.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Brain Neoplasms/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; Ependymoma/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; Female ; Human ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms/*diagnosis/epidemiology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND: This 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. METHODS: Data 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. RESULTS: A 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. CONCLUSION: This study should provide valuable information regarding the primary brain tumor epidemiology in Republic of Korea.
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 ; Registries ; Republic of Korea*

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.
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*

Head computed tomography (CT) is instrumental for managing patients of all ages. However, its low dose radiation may pose a low but non-zero risk of tumor induction in pediatric patients. Here, we present a systematic literature review on the estimated incidence of brain tumor induction from head CT exams performed on children and adolescents. MEDLINE was searched using an electronic protocol and bibliographic searches to identify articles related to CT, cancer, and epidemiology or risk assessment. Sixteen studies that predicted or measured head CT-related neoplasm incidence or mortality were identified and reviewed. Epidemiological studies consistently cited increased tumor incidence in pediatric patients (ages 0–18) exposed to head CTs. Excess relative risk of new brain tumor averaged 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 0.66–1.93) for pediatric patients exposed to one or more head CTs. Tumor incidence increased with number of pediatric head CTs in a dose-dependent manner, with measurable excess incidence even after a single scan. Converging evidence from epidemiological studies supported a small excess risk of brain tumor incidence after even a single CT exam in pediatric patients. However, refined epidemiological methods are needed to control for confounding variables that may contribute to reverse causation, such as patients with pre-existing cancer or cancer susceptibility. CT remains an invaluable technology that should be utilized so long as there is clinical indication for the study and the radiation dose is as small as reasonably achievable.
Adolescent ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Child ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Epidemiologic Methods ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology ; Head* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Patient Safety ; Pediatrics ; Radiometry ; Risk Assessment ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUNDAlthough the first leading cause of death in China was malignant neoplasms (mortality, 374.1 per 100,000 person-years), the full impact of primary brain tumors (PBT) on the healthcare system is not completely described because there are a few well documented reports about the epidemiologic features of brain tumors. This study aimed to report a comprehensive assessment on the prevalence of PBT.

METHODSA multicenter cross-sectional study on brain tumor (MCSBT) in China was initiated in five regional centers: Daqing (northeast), Puyang (north of China), Shiyan (center of China), Ma'anshan (center of China) and Shanghai (southeast). Prevalence rate was calculated by counting the number of people living with a PBT between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006 and dividing by the total population of the five communities at January 1, 2006. Estimates of prevalence were expressed as percentages and grouped according to gender and to age in fifteen-year categories. Within these strata, the rates were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the accurate calculation of CI for Poisson distribution. A chi-square test was used to compare the various frequencies with α < 0.05. Age-standardized prevalence with the direct method was calculated with the ten-year age-specific prevalence and the age distribution of the Chinese population in 2010, obtained from World population prospects: the 2008 revision.

RESULTSWe estimated that the overall prevalence of PBT was 24.56 per 100,000 (95%CI, 14.85 to 34.27), and the overall prevalence of PBT in female population (30.57 per 100,000 and its 95%CI ranged from 19.73 to 41.41) was higher than that in male population (18.84 per 100,000 and its 95%CI ranged from 10.33 to 27.35). However, the discrepancy between genders was not statistically significant because the 95%CI overlapped. Of 272 cases of newly diagnosed PBT, the proportion of histological subtypes by age groups, gender was statistically different (χ(2) = 52.6510, P < 0.0001). More than half of all reported tumors (52.57%) were either gliomas or meningiomas. For the youngest (aged from 0 - 19) strata of the population, glioma appeared to occur more than other subtypes, accounting for 55.56% of all of cases. The majority of brain tumors presented in those aged from 20 to 59 years was pituitary adenomas (45.12%) and gliomas (31.10%). Opposed to brain tumors in adults and teenage, gliomas only accounted for 22.22%. Meanwhile, the median ages at diagnosis of the patients with PBT were similar between males and females except for pituitary adenomas (male: 59 years old; female: 45 years old).

CONCLUSIONSAge standardized prevalence of PBT is 22.52 per 100,000 (95%CI, 13.22 to 31.82) for all populations, 17.64 per 100,000 (95%CI, 9.41 to 25.87) for men, and 27.94 per 100,000 (95%CI, 17.58 to 38.30) for women. Age standardization to China's 2010 population yielded an estimated population of 304 954 cases with PBT. Our prevalence estimates provide a conservative basis on which to plan health care services and to develop programmatic strategies for surviving. In the future, it would be helpful to have long-term observed survival rates that would make the assumptions and the resulting imprecision in the current estimates unnecessary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Young Adult