Transition over 35 years in the incidence rates of primary central nervous system tumors in Shanghai, China and histological subtyping based on a single center experience spanning 60 years.

BACKGROUND

Only few epidemiological data on primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors in Shanghai have been reported.

METHODS

All cases of primary CNS tumors that were registered at Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were collected (1973-2007: urban Shanghai; 2003-2007: whole Shanghai city). Trends were analyzed using joinpoint analysis and rates were stratified by age, gender and region. Histological data were collected from both CDC and Huashan Hospital.

RESULTS

From 1973 to 2007, the five-year average incidence rate in urban Shanghai increased in both genders, especially in the elderly population. Joinpoint analysis showed the age-adjusted incidence rate for males increased first but then plateaued, whilst rates for females continued increasing over the 35 years. For the five-year status quo (2003-2007), rural had a higher age- adjusted incidence rate than urban populations, and females higher than males, especially those with advanced age. According to CDC (2003-2007) and Huashan Hospital (1951-2011), the two most common histological subtypes were neuroepithelial tumors (with male predominance) and meningiomas (with female predominance).

CONCLUSIONS

In Shanghai, a steadily increased incidence rate of primary CNS tumors was observed in general, and in the elderly and female population in particular.