Incidence of Childhood Brain and Central Nervous System Cancers
Summary Indicator Report Data View Options
Why Is This Important?
In general, childhood cancers are rare and represent about 1% of all cancers. Cancers of the brain and central nervous system (CNS) are the second most common type of childhood cancers (ages 0-14), and represent over 20% of all cancers in this age group. At this time, we do not know what causes most childhood brain and central nervous system cancers.
Definition
Incidence rate of brain and central nervous system cancers in children for a defined population in a specified time interval. Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Standard Population. Rates are per 100,000 population.
Data Sources
- SEER*Stat, National Center Institute
(https://www.seer.cancer.gov/seerstat) - Bridged-race population estimates, National Cancer Institute
(https://seer.cancer.gov/popdata/)
How the Measure is Calculated
Numerator: | Number of new cases of brain and other nervous system cancers in children among a defined population in a specified time interval. Cases were selected using ICCC recode ICD-0-3/WHO recode. |
Denominator: | Defined population in a specified time interval. Population age groups 0-14 and 0-19 are both found to be useful by the International Classification of Childhood Cancers (ICCC). |
How Are We Doing?
On average, 75 children ages 0-19 are diagnosed annually with brain and CNS cancers in New Jersey. Between 1990 and 2021, the New Jersey brain and central nervous system cancers incidence rates in children ages 0-14 and 0-19 were generally stable. Mortality rates for most types of childhood cancers have steadily decreased in recent years due to improved treatments.
What Is Being Done?
A Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan was developed by the Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment in New Jersey which aims to reduce the incidence, illness and death due to cancer among New Jersey residents. [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/occp.shtml]
Available Services
The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has many programs and partnerships related to cancer data and information, cancer resources and cancer prevention. Cancer Epidemiology Services: [https://nj.gov/health/ces/] Interactive New Jersey cancer incidence and mortality data, as well as numerous publications, are available through the NJDOH website for cancer statistics and mapping. [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/cancer-researchers/cancer-data/index.shtml] Office of Cancer Control and Prevention: [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/occp.shtml] NJ Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED): [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/njceed.shtml] NJ Commission on Cancer Research: [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/cancer-researchers/njccr.shtml]