[Descriptive epidemiology in population based cancer registries using CNS tumors as an example]

Tumors of brain and central nervous system are rare diseases in Germany. Due to widely heterogeneous notification in cancer registries, population based information on incidence is practically unavailable in this country. The main causes for clinical interest in descriptive data on these tumor entities are severe clinical effects, irrespective of malignancy, and relatively high numbers of cases already in childhood. Taking into account divergent modalities and legal rules of registration, relevant data in the cancer registries of Saarland/W-Germany and the former GDR were evaluated. Some basic epidemiologic rates were calculated and a comparative analysis was conducted.