The occurrence of brain tumours among adults in Ireland has risen by more than one-third over the past three decades, though survival outcomes have also notably improved during this period, according to newly published research, reports Breaking News.
A study conducted by researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland alongside several hospitals also determined that women diagnosed with brain tumours tend to have higher survival rates than men, reports Breaking News.
The research further indicated that survival outcomes worsen as age increases at the time a brain tumour is diagnosed.
“The increasing incidence and improved survival suggests that growing numbers are living longer and surviving beyond their initial brain tumour diagnosis,” the study observed, reports Breaking News.
The analysis reviewed information from more than 13,100 cases of primary brain tumours in individuals aged over 15 between 1995 and 2019, as recorded by the National Cancer Registry in Ireland.
There were 1,799 recorded cases in the five-year span from 1995 to 1999, compared with 3,590 cases documented between 2015 and 2019, reports Breaking News.
After adjusting for patient age, the study reported that the incidence rate of brain tumours in Ireland rose from 79.2 per 100,000 people in 1995–1999 to 107.2 per 100,000 in 2015–2019, marking a 35.4 per cent increase.
The growth rate was even more pronounced for most tumour categories, with the exception of astrocytic tumours, which declined by 36.4 per cent over the same timeframe, reports Breaking News.
Women made up 51.9 per cent of all brain tumour cases, while men accounted for 48.1 per cent.
The median age at which brain tumours were diagnosed fell within the 60–64 year range, reports Breaking News.
Approximately one-third of patients were diagnosed with the most aggressive subtype, glioblastoma, whereas 25 per cent had the least aggressive form known as meningiomas, and about a quarter of tumours were categorised as “unclassified”.
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The findings showed that the five-year survival rate improved from 39 per cent for patients diagnosed between 1995 and 1999 to 48 per cent for those diagnosed between 2015 and 2019, reports Breaking News.
Among females, the five-year survival rate stood at 52 per cent, significantly higher than the 36 per cent observed in males.
However, survival chances decline as age increases at the time of diagnosis, reports Breaking News.
For individuals diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 44, the five-year survival rate was 73.5 per cent, compared with just 26 per cent for those aged over 65.
Patients who underwent treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy experienced better survival outcomes than those who received no intervention, reports Breaking News.
The study, published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, found that 47 per cent of patients had surgery to remove their tumour, 36.2 per cent received some form of oncology treatment within a year of diagnosis, and 19.8 per cent underwent radiotherapy.
Survival outcomes were also better across all tumour types when compared with glioblastoma, reports Breaking News.
The researchers stated that the rise in brain tumour incidence in Ireland since 1999 is likely influenced by multiple factors, including enhanced diagnostic techniques, advances in treatment, and improved cancer registration systems.
They also noted that other studies have linked increased incidence to factors such as ageing populations and higher socioeconomic conditions, reports Breaking News.
The researchers added that their observations of improved survival rates align with global patterns, particularly longer survival seen in Western Europe and Pacific regions compared with South-East Asia and Africa.
However, they highlighted that higher survival rates also place greater pressure on healthcare services, reports Breaking News.
The study recognised that individuals with brain tumours in Ireland often face challenges in accessing specialised rehabilitation services.
It also pointed out that the median age at diagnosis is relatively young, with more than half of patients still within working age, reports Breaking News.
The authors said their findings would have broader implications for neuro-oncology services in the Republic and help guide the prioritisation of necessary supports.
“Such resources are essential for those who are living with functional difficulties in their survivorship journey,” they added, reports Breaking News.
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