[Epidemiology of malignant tumors of the nervous system in Spain]

Increasing incidences or mortality rates from brain malignant tumors have been reported in several countries.

This is a review of the studies published by the Cancer Epidemiology Unit of Carlos III Health Institute on incidence and mortality from these tumors in adults and children in Spain.

During the period 1952-1986 mortality in adults has increased in both sexes. An ascending effect in cohorts born up to 1920 is detected, probably due to improvements in diagnosis and registration. A positive, progressive, cohort effect in males born post-1920 was detected probably because of a true increase in incidence of brain glioma or brain metastases. The incidence analysis in Navarre and Zaragoza (two Spanish provinces with population-based Cancer Registries working for more than 20 years) shows an increase in all age groups rates, reater among the older age groups. In Navarre we detected a decrease cohort effect in 1978-82 and 1988-91. A more than 50% decrease in mortality is observed among children and adolescent, probably due to treatment improvements. Great geographic differences have been observed in mortality, associated to industry development. Incidence in children, according to the Navarre and Zaragoza Registries, has increased in part due to better diagnostic methods. Incidence is 75% greater in Navarre than in Zaragoza.