Comparative trends in brain and CNS cancer across high-income countries: A benchmarking study (1990-2021).

Abstract

e22504 Background: Brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancer poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in high-income countries (HIC) where aging populations and advanced diagnostic capabilities contribute to rising incidence rates. Despite improvements in treatment, the disease remains associated with high morbidity and mortality, necessitating ongoing research into its epidemiological trends, risk factors, and healthcare disparities to inform targeted interventions. Methods: We estimated incidence, prevalence, deaths, and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) due to brain and CNS cancer by age, sex, year and location across the HIC from 1990-2021 using global burden of disease study 2021 standardized tool. Results: The total prevalence count of brain and CNS cancer increased from 189,483 (185,084-193,201) in 1990 to 371,604 (351,197-387,196) in 2021. The number of deaths rose from 40,918 (39,726-41,750) in 1990 to 66,574 (62,329-69,082) in 2021, while the total DALYs increased from 1.3 (1.3-1.4) million to 1.8 (1.7-1.9) million over the same period. The highest annual percentage change (APC) in total prevalence count was observed in High-income Asia Pacific (4.34%), Southern Latin America (3.26%), and Australasia (2.04%). In terms of mortality, the highest APC was recorded in Southern Latin America (2.56%), High-income Asia Pacific (2.48%), and Australasia (1.84%) between 1990 and 2021. At the national level, the highest APC in age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was observed in Chile (2.4%), followed by Singapore (2.03%) and Japan (1.92%). Regarding the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), the highest APC was recorded in Chile (1.9%), Japan (1.42%), Switzerland (0.97%), and Monaco (0.92%) from 1990 to 2021. Age-wise, the highest incidence count in 2021 was observed in individuals aged 70-74 years, with 13,052 cases (12,088-13,748). The highest number of deaths occurred in the same age group, with 9,749 deaths (9,091-10,165). The greatest burden of DALYs was recorded in individuals aged 60-64 years, reaching 228,721 (220,464-235,397) in 2021. Conclusions: The global burden of brain and CNS cancer has significantly increased from 1990 to 2021, with a notable rise in prevalence, deaths, and DALYs. The highest growth rates were observed in High-income Asia Pacific, Southern Latin America, and Australasia, with Chile, Singapore, and Japan experiencing the steepest national increases in incidence. The disease burden was most pronounced in older age groups, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and improved healthcare strategies to mitigate its impact.