Neuro Oncol. 2023 Sep 22:noad182. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noad182. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Comprehensive analysis of brain tumor incidence and survival in the Veteran population has been lacking.
METHODS: Veteran data was obtained from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Medical Centers via VHA Corporate Data Warehouse. Brain tumor statistics on the overall US population were generated from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the US data. Cases were individuals (≥18 years) with a primary brain tumor, diagnosed between 2004-2018. The average annual age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated per 100,000 population and Kaplan-Meier survival curves evaluated overall survival outcomes among Veterans.
RESULTS: The Veteran population was primarily white (78%), male (93%), and between 60-64 years old (18%). Individuals with a primary brain tumor in the general US population were mainly female (59%) and between 18-49 years old (28%). The overall AAIR of primary brain tumors from 2004-2018 within the VA cancer registry was 11.6. Non-malignant tumors were more common than malignant tumors (AAIR:7.19 vs 4.42). The most diagnosed tumors in Veterans were non-malignant pituitary tumors (AAIR:2.96), non-malignant meningioma (AAIR:2.62), and glioblastoma (AAIR:1.96). In the Veteran population, survival outcomes became worse with age and were lowest among individuals diagnosed with glioblastoma.
CONCLUSIONS: Differences between Veteran and US populations can be broadly attributed to demographic composition differences of these groups. Prior to this, there have been no reports on national level incidence rates and survival outcomes for Veterans. These data provide vital information that can drive efforts to understand disease burden and improve outcomes for individuals with primary brain tumors.
PMID:37738677 | DOI:10.1093/neuonc/noad182
