Epidemiology

In general, gliomas are more common in industrialized countries and among white people. There is a slight male predominance; glioblastoma incidence rate is 1.6-fold higher in men than in women.[3][4]

Circumscribed gliomas (pilocytic/pilomyxoid astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma) have a combined annual incidence of less than 1 in 100,000 people.[3] Pilocytic astrocytomas of the optic pathway are associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.[5] Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas are a manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex.[6]

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor, with an annual incidence in the US of 3-4 cases per 100,000 people. Median age at diagnosis is 65 years.[3] Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas are the second most common malignant brain tumors, with an annual incidence of 0.7 per 100,000. Incidence increases with age and peaks between 30 and 34 years for diffuse astrocytoma, IDH-mutant; and between 40 and 44 years for oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant, 1p/19q codeleted.[7] Diffuse histone 3 (H3) mutant gliomas are rare, with an annual incidence of approximately 0.2 cases per 100,000 people. The median age at diagnosis for diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M-altered is between 7 and 8 years, while the median age at diagnosis for diffuse hemispheric glioma H3 G34-mutant is between 15 and 19 years.[8]

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