Unfortunately, no one is immune from unpredictable brain tumors. Most genetic, biological factors are still somewhat ambiguous and often there is no cause for the development of a tumor. Tumors can be primary brain tumors, which start in the brain, or brain metastasis tumors, which start elsewhere but eventually spread to the brain. Tumors can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).
- More than 70,000 new cases of primary brain tumors will be diagnosed this year.
- More than 23,000 cancerous brain or spinal cord tumors will be diagnosed this year.
- More than 4,500 children between the ages of 0-19 will be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year.
- Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children (males and females) under age 20 and males ages 20-39.
- Brain tumors are the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females ages 20-39.
- Over 15,000 people will die from brain and spinal cord tumors in 2015.
- More people under 40 die of a cancerous brain tumor than any other type of cancer.
- Brain and central nervous system tumors are the most common cancers among children ages 0-19.
- There are over 700,000 people in the U.S. living with a brain tumor.
- There is less than a 1% chance that an individual will develop a cancerous brain or spinal tumor.
- Every day, 500 people are told they have a brain tumor.
- There are more than 121 types of brain tumors.
- The most common brain tumor is a metastatic brain tumor.
- Unlike most cancers, each year, brain cancer deaths have continued to rise.
- Non-cancerous brain tumors can still be life threatening.
- Between 20% and 40% of all cancers eventually spread to the brain.
- According to clinical data, 92% of diagnosed benign tumor patients experience no future tumor growth for 5-10 years after diagnosis.
- Survival rates for cancerous brain and spinal tumors ranges greatly.
- Glioblastoma 5-year survival rate in ages 55-64 is 4%.
- Meningioma 5-year survival rate in ages 45-54 is 92%.
- Brain tumors kill more men under 45 than all other cancers, including prostate cancer.
- Brain tumors only receive 1% of the U.S. national spend on cancer research.
Remember, all statistics should be interpreted with caution and are in no way a predictor of personal outcomes. Survival estimates, without speaking with your neurologist, are rough estimates at best. For a professional diagnosis, or to assess your risk and treatment options, please contact Dr. Duma.
