THE DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PRIMARY INTRACRANIAL NEOPLASMS: THE CONNECTICUT EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The age—specific incidence pattern for tumors of the brain and cranial meninges in Connecticut over a 30-year period shows an early peak followed by a taller and sharper peak with a maximum in the 55–65 year age group. This overall curve reflects the pattern shown for glioblastoma, the tumor accounting for the majority of the histologically confirmed cases. The reported rates are probably underestimates of the actual rates. The various histologic types of brain tumors reveal sufficiently distinct epidemiologic patterns to be considered as separate diseases.