Brain tumors in childhood and adolescence in west Sweden 1970-1984. Epidemiology and survival.

A population-based series of 198 children, aged 0 to 16.9 years, with primary brain tumors, diagnosed from 1970 to 1984, was retrieved from the Swedish Cancer Registry. After review of slides and reclassification of histology according to the American Cancer Society, the average annual incidence rate was estimated to be 34.9 per million, which is a very high incidence compared to other countries. The age distribution was not uniform as age group 0 to 4 included more children than age groups 5 to 9 and 10 to 14. The largest subgroups were astrocytomas (25%) and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)/medulloblastomas (MB) (21%). Associated diseases were neurofibromatosis and Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome. The overall male to female ratio was 1.08:1, the same as in the population at risk; but for PNET/MB, it was 1.8:1. The 5-year survival for all tumors was 54%, and the 15-year survival, 49%, with great variation between tumor subgroups.