The Epidemiology of Central Nervous System Tumors in Arab Countries

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent a significant global health burden, with notable regional disparities in incidence, mortality, and survival. The Arab world, comprising 22 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, faces unique epidemiological challenges influenced by population demographics, healthcare access, and genetic factors. This study aims to analyze the incidence, mortality, and 5-year prevalence of CNS tumors in Arab countries using Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2020 and 2022 data, with comparisons by country, gender, and age-group.

Data were extracted from the GLOBOCAN "Cancer Today" portal for the years 2020 and 2022. We included all Arab countries and examined trends in crude rates, age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs), and incidence-to-mortality ratios (IMRs), stratified by sex and age-group.

Globally, CNS tumor cases rose from 308,102 in 2020 to 321,731 in 2022 (4.4%), while Arab countries saw an increase from 14,177 to 14,823 cases, (4.6%). Egypt reported the highest incidence, mortality, and prevalence in both years. Iraq demonstrated the highest ASIR and ASMR, while Jordan (in 2020) and Syria (in 2022) had unexpectedly high ASIR and ASMR among males. Older adults (≥50 years) bore the highest disease burden across all regions. Despite modest improvements in survival, the IMR remained relatively low, indicating continued challenges in achieving favorable outcomes, particularly among children and older adults.

The burden of CNS tumors is increasing in the Arab region, with significant inter-country variation. These findings highlight the need for improved cancer registries, early detection programs, and region-specific strategies to enhance diagnosis and treatment outcomes.