Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2025

Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice
Published on: December 27, 2024
Changes in survival over time for primary brain and other CNS tumors in the United States, 2004-2017
Gino Cioffi1,2, Kristin A Waite1,2, Jacob L Edelson1
1Trans Divisional Research Program, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Purpose:
Despite advances in cancer diagnosis and clinical care, survival for many primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors remain poor. This study performs a comprehensive survival analysis on these tumors.
Methods:
Survival differences were determined utilizing the National Program of Cancer Registries Survival Analytic file for primary brain and CNS tumors. Overall survival and survival of the 5 most common histopathologies, within specific age groups, were determined. Overall survival was compared for three time periods: 2004-2007, 2008-2012, and 2013-2017. Survival differences were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Models were adjusted for sex, race/ethnicity, and treatment. Malignant and non-malignant brain tumors were assessed separately.
Results:
Among malignant brain and CNS tumor patients overall, there were notable differences in survival by time period among all age groups. Similar differences were noted in non-malignant brain and CNS tumor patients, except for adults (aged 40-64 years), where no survival changes were observed. Survival differences varied within specific histopathologies across age groups. There were improvements in survival in 2008-2012 and 2013-2017, when compared to 2004-2007, in children, AYA, and older adults with malignant tumors, and among older adults with non-malignant tumors.
Conclusion:
Overall survival for malignant brain and other CNS tumors improved slightly in 2013-2017 for all age groups as compared to 2004-2007. Significant changes were observed for non-malignant brain and other CNS tumors among older adults. Information regarding survival over time can be utilized to identify population level effects of diagnostic and treatment improvements.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Survival Analysis
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Actuarial Approach
Consider the example of a high-risk surgical procedure with significant early-stage mortality. A two-year clinical study is conducted,...
Comparing the Survival Analysis of Two or More Groups
Introduction To Survival Analysis
The primary goal of survival analysis is to estimate survival time—the time...
Kaplan-Meier Approach

