Astrocytoma epidemiology and demographics

The incidence of astrocytoma is 0.23 per 100,000 and the number of new cases is 700 per year. In 2012, there were an estimated 148,818 people living with brain and other nervous system cancer in the United States. The number of deaths was 4.3 per 100,000 individuals per year based on 2008-2012 mortality records. The low-grade type is often found in children or young adults, while the high-grade type is more prevalent in adults. Pilocytic astrocytoma is more common in men, who account for 62% of all cases. The male-to-female ratio of diffuse astrocytoma is 1.5:1 and for anaplastic astrocytoma is 1.8:1. Astrocytoma is more common in caucasian race.

• The incidence of astrocytoma is 0.23 per 100,000 and the number of new cases is 700 per year.^[1]
• Diffuse astrocytoma has an incidence of 0.1 per 100,000, with 1500 to 1800 new cases per year in North America.
• Anaplastic astrocytoma has an incidence of 0.49 per 100,000 per year.
• Glioblastoma has an incidence of 5 per 100,000 per year.
• Pilocytic astrocytoma accounts for 0.6 – 5.1% of all intracranial neoplasms (1.7-7% of all glial tumors) and are the most common primary brain tumor of childhood, accounting for 70-85% of all cerebellar astrocytomas.^[2]

• In 2012, there were an estimated 148,818 people living with brain and other nervous system cancer in the United States.

• The number of deaths was 4.3 per 100,000 individuals per year based on 2008-2012 mortality records.^[3][4]

• People may develop astrocytoma at any age.
• The low-grade type is often found in children or young adults, while the high-grade type is more prevalent in adults.
• Subependymal giant cell tumors are a well known manifestation of tuberous sclerosis (TS), affecting 5-15% of patients with the condition. They are principally diagnosed in patients under 20 years of age, but are occasionally found in older patients as well.^[5]
• Anaplastic astrocytomas occur in adulthood with peak incidence between 40 and 50 years of age, which is older than low grade astrocytomas and younger than glioblastoma.^[6]
• Pilocytic astrocytomas are tumors of young people, with 75% occurring in the first two decades of life, typically 9-10 years of age. The mean age of presentation is 17 years.^[5]
• The median age of diffuse astrocytoma at the time of the diagnosis is 35 years, with a bimodel age distribution at 6 to 12 years and 26 to 46 years.
• Diffuse low grade gliomas of the cerebral hemispheres are typically diagnosed in young adults between 20-45 years old (mean 35 years of age).^[7][8]
• Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma has a median age of 22 years at initial presentation.
• Mean age at the time of diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma is 40 years.
• The peak incidence of glioblastoma is at ages 65 to 74 years.

• Pilocytic astrocytoma is more common in men, who account for 62% of all the cases.
• The male-to-female ratio of diffuse astrocytoma is 1.5:1.
• The male-to-female ratio of anaplastic astrocytoma is 1.8:1.

• Astrocytoma is more common in Caucasian race.^[4]