Andreotti A; Ferroni E; Lombardi G; Guzzinati S; Zorzi M.
49th Annual Meeting of the Group for Cancer Epidemiology and Registration in Latin Language Countries (GRELL)
Porto, 27-30 maggio 2025
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate incidence, treatment pathways, and survival of malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the Veneto Region (North-eastern Italy), with a focus on the most common histologic types.
Methods: We included all incidence cases of CNS tumors in adults registered by the Veneto Cancer Registry (VCR) between 2016 and 2020. Since tumor grade is not recorded for this type of tumor, a specific algorithm has been developed to extract it from textual diagnosis of pathology reports. The most frequent cancer types have been analyzed in terms of surgical procedures, cancer treatments (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) and survival, using healthcare administrative data.
Results: Between 2016 and 2020, 2,824 cases of malignant CNS tumors and meningioma (grade 2-3 according to the WHO 2016 classification) were recorded in the Veneto Region, with a higher incidence in men and most cases being diagnosed in patients over 70 (45.2%). The most common tumor types were glioblastoma (n 1,056), meningioma (n 298), and anaplastic astrocytoma grade 2-3 (n 154). Incidence rate in 2016-2020 is 12.5 per 100,000 inhabitants: 5.2 for glioblastomas, 0.8 for astrocytomas and 1.5 for meningiomas. About half of glioblastoma and astrocytomas cases underwent surgery and treatment; percentages were lower for and meningioma (12.4%), which undergoing only surgery in 54.7% of the cases. Combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy were used in more than half of glioblastomas and astrocytomas, while in 41.9% of oligodendrogliomas. Five-year relative survival was 5.7% for glioblastoma, 45.8% for anaplastic astrocytoma and 82.5% for meningioma.
Conclusions: Despite the growing focus on oncology, the scientific evidence on the follow-up and survival of CNS tumors by histotype is limited. Our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by CNS tumor patients and offers valuable insights into improving their management and long-term care.