Incidence of neuroepithelial primary brain tumors among adult population of Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy.
Incidence of neuroepithelial Primary Brain Tumors (nPBT) varies, ranging from 7.3 to 11.6 cases/100,000/year across Europe. We present incidence and survival of nPBT in the Emilia-Romagna region (ER), Italy. This study is the largest in Southern Europe. Specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, neuroradiology, oncology, radiotherapy, genetics, and pathology of ER notified all suspected nPBT adult cases residing in ER (4,337,966 inhabitants) observed during 2009. Furthermore, through ICD-9 discharge codes, we identified and reviewed all possible cases. Neuroepithelial PBT diagnosis was based on histological or radiological findings. We included 400 incident nPBT cases, of which 102 (25%) were retrospectively identified. These latter were significantly older. The standardized incidence was 10.5/100,000/year (95% CI 9.4-11.5), higher for men. It was 9.2/100,000/year (95% CI 8.3-10.2) for astrocytic tumors, 0.6/100,000/year (95% CI 0.4-0.9) for oligodendroglial tumors, and 7.1 (95% CI 6.3-8.0) for glioblastoma (GBM). Among GBM patients, median survival was 249 days if prospectively identified vs. 132 days when identified through ICD-9 codes (p < 0.0001). The incidence of nPBT in the ER region is among the highest in the literature. Older patients were more likely to escape an active surveillance system. This should be considered when comparing incidence rates across studies, giving the increasing number of elderly people in the general population.
Neuroepidemiology Research Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.
Elisa
E
Baldin
Neurology Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 2, 40133, Bologna, Italy.
Stefania
S
Testoni
DIBINEM, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Ugo Foscolo 7, 40123, Bologna, Italy.
Silvia
S
de Pasqua
Department of Hospital Services, Emilia-Romagna Region Health Authority, V.le Aldo Moro 21, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
Salvatore
S
Ferro
Neuroepidemiology Research Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.
Fiorenzo
F
Albani
Neuroepidemiology Research Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.
Agostino
A
Baruzzi
Neuroepidemiology Research Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy. roberto.dalessandro@ausl.bologna.it.
Roberto
R
D'Alessandro
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018302:Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Epidemiology; Glioblastoma; Incidence rate; Primary brain tumors; Survival