Global burden of brain and other central nervous system cancer in older adults aged over 65: a population-based study

Background Brain and central nervous system cancer remains a major healthy concern among the elder worldwide. This study is performed to assess the global burden of CNS cancer among adults aged ≥ 65 years across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021 and to predict future trends in the next 25 years. Methods We analyzed the incidence, mortality and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) based on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. In addition, we obtained and analyzed the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age‐standardized death rate (ASDR), and age‐standardized DALYs rate during 1990–2021. Then we assessed the impact of geographical variations and the Socio‐demographic Index (SDI) on disease burden of CNS cancer. Furthermore, we calculated EAPC and AAPC to reveal temporal trends of CNS cancer incidence and mortality among adults aged ≥ 65 years. Results Globally, CNS cancer incident cases among adults aged ≥ 65 years increased from 40344 in 1990 to 130100 in 2021. The ASIR rose from 3.7 to 4.3 per 100,000 (EAPC:0.44, 95% CI: 0.4–0.49). Low-middle SDI regions showed the largest ASIR increase (EAPC:1.04, 95% CI: 0.99–1.09), while High SDI regions had the lowest (EAPC:0.43, 95% CI: 0.36–0.5). The global ASDR rose from 3 per 100,000 in 1990 to 3.1 per 100,000 in 2021, and the age-standardized DALYs rate decreased from 119.9 to 107.9 per 100,000 between 1990 and 2021. Geographically, the incidence and mortality rates of CNS cancer among adults aged ≥ 65 years increased in most countries and territories. Conclusion The global burden of CNS cancer among the elder has risen sharply from 1990 to 2021, with divisions and disparities observed across different regions. Specific medical interventions and policies to consolidate early detection and better healthcare service in impoverished regions are essential for reducing the global impact of CNS cancer.