ltal. ,I. Neurol. Sci. 13:395-400, 1992
International incidence of central nervous system tumors in children Filippini G., Artuso A. Istituto Nazionale Neurologico "C. Besta" Milano
A study of the descriptive epidemiology of central nervous system tumors in children aged 0-14 was undertaken using international incidence data referred to the period 1970-1984. The median incidence rates were found to be 23 per million for males and 19 per million f o r females. The median cumulative incidence rates were found to be 341 per million for males and 296 per million for females. Males had incidence rates that were about 20 per cent higher than those for females. Variation in incidence rates by age, sex, race, and geographic area are discussed. Data on possible genetic and environmental risk factors for these tumors are reviewed.
Key Words: Nervous system tumors - - childhood - - epidemiology
Introduction Central nervous system tumors (CNST) in children are, next to the leukemias, the second most frequent type of childhood cancer. The improvement in therapeutic results during recent years has also led to the need for the assessment of morbidity and the provision of services accordingly. Little information is available on the factors leading to the development of these tumours either in adults or in children. It is probable that the etiology of CNST in children involves both genetic and extrinsic factors and that these vary considerably in relation to particular histological types. The study of geographical and ethnic variation in the risk of childhood CNST may assist in formulating hypotheses concerning the relative contribution of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure to etiology. Preston-Martin S. (1985) systematically reviewed geographical and ethnic variations in the incidThis study was supported by grants from National Council Research, Progetto Finalizzato "Oncologia", Italia. Received 30 July 1990 - Accepted 24 July 1991
ence of childhood CNST [24]. She analysed the data contained in Cancer Incidence in five Continents edited by IARC in 1982 [30] for the agerange 0-14 years. In this study most of the incidence rates refer to the period 1977-1981, too short a period to allow stable rates. The neoplasms chapter of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 8th) used in Cancer Incidence in five Continents is unsuited to the study of childhood nervous system tumors. In this age group, tumors are for the most part defined by their histology, rather than by their anatomical site, which forms the main axis of classification of the ICD.
Material and method An international study of the incidence of childhood cancer was planned during the International U n i o n Against Cancer (UICC) conference in Seattle in 1982. It involved requesting the collaboration of investigators throughout the world who were known to have data available on the incidence of childhood cancer, either via a specialized 395
The Italian Jounzal of Neurological S
International incidence of central nervous system tumors in children Filippini G., Artuso A. Istituto Nazionale Neurologico "C. Besta" Milano
A study of the descriptive epidemiology of central nervous system tumors in children aged 0-14 was undertaken using international incidence data referred to the period 1970-1984. The median incidence rates were found to be 23 per million for males and 19 per million f o r females. The median cumulative incidence rates were found to be 341 per million for males and 296 per million for females. Males had incidence rates that were about 20 per cent higher than those for females. Variation in incidence rates by age, sex, race, and geographic area are discussed. Data on possible genetic and environmental risk factors for these tumors are reviewed.
Key Words: Nervous system tumors - - childhood - - epidemiology
Introduction Central nervous system tumors (CNST) in children are, next to the leukemias, the second most frequent type of childhood cancer. The improvement in therapeutic results during recent years has also led to the need for the assessment of morbidity and the provision of services accordingly. Little information is available on the factors leading to the development of these tumours either in adults or in children. It is probable that the etiology of CNST in children involves both genetic and extrinsic factors and that these vary considerably in relation to particular histological types. The study of geographical and ethnic variation in the risk of childhood CNST may assist in formulating hypotheses concerning the relative contribution of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure to etiology. Preston-Martin S. (1985) systematically reviewed geographical and ethnic variations in the incidThis study was supported by grants from National Council Research, Progetto Finalizzato "Oncologia", Italia. Received 30 July 1990 - Accepted 24 July 1991
ence of childhood CNST [24]. She analysed the data contained in Cancer Incidence in five Continents edited by IARC in 1982 [30] for the agerange 0-14 years. In this study most of the incidence rates refer to the period 1977-1981, too short a period to allow stable rates. The neoplasms chapter of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 8th) used in Cancer Incidence in five Continents is unsuited to the study of childhood nervous system tumors. In this age group, tumors are for the most part defined by their histology, rather than by their anatomical site, which forms the main axis of classification of the ICD.
Material and method An international study of the incidence of childhood cancer was planned during the International U n i o n Against Cancer (UICC) conference in Seattle in 1982. It involved requesting the collaboration of investigators throughout the world who were known to have data available on the incidence of childhood cancer, either via a specialized 395
The Italian Jounzal of Neurological S
