Aim and background: To establish the incidence of primary tumors
of the central nervous system (CNS) in the resident population
of the Coast and Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, in the
period 1977-2000.
Methods: A retrospective descriptive epidemiological study.
Tumors were classified according to the World Health Organization’s
scheme. A total of 911 cases was identified. Information
about patient gender and age at diagnosis, tumor location
and histologic type was obtained from case histories, autopsy
protocols and pathology reports. Age- and sex-adjusted
incidence were determined by a direct standardization
method.
Results: Histologic confirmation was obtained in 84.5% of cases.
The most frequent tumors were glioblastoma in men
(30.2%) and meningioma in women (29.5%). The average annual
crude and world-standardized incidence was 11.2 (95%
CI, 10.1-12.3) and 8.2/100,000/year (95% CI, 7.4-9.0), respectively.
The highest specific age incidence was detected in the
seventh decade of life, 24.7/100,000/year (95% CI, 21.4-28.8).
The tumors occurred equally in each sex. The lowest incidence
was detected on the islands, 7.4/100,000/year (95% CI,
5.9-9.2) and the highest along the coast, 12.7/100,000/year
(95% CI, 11.4-14.0). The survey showed the highest incidence
of these neoplasms in the coastal municipality of Senj,
14.7/100,000/year (95% CI, 10.3-20.5).
Conclusion: The descriptive epidemiological incidence of primary
CNS tumors in the Coast and Gorski Kotar County, Croatia,
especially those of neuroepithelial and meningeal origin,
correspond to the data reported in similar studies elsewhere
in the world. The incidence of these neoplasms in the area investigated
is uneven. Limitations in study design preclude definitive
conclusions about the causes of these differences.