One-year review of the incidence of brain tumours in Hong Kong Chinese patients as part of the Hong Kong Brain and Spinal Tumours Registry

Aim There is a lack of recent data regarding the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) tumours in Hong Kong patients of Chinese origin. The aim of this study was to provide a current registry of brain and CNS tumour incidence in Hong Kong, which would contribute to the current knowledge of brain tumour epidemiology. Patients and Methods Prospective data were collected from neurosurgical centres in Hong Kong between July 2008 and June 2009. Demographic and diagnostic data were collected for each patient diagnosed with a brain tumour, and collated at a central coordination centre. Diagnosis was confirmed either histologically or radiologically. Results There were 1031 newly-diagnosed cases of spinal/intracranial tumours, 759 of which were primary tumours. The estimated annual incidence of spinal/intracranial tumours was 14.7 per 100?000. The annual incidence of primary CNS tumours was 10.8 per 100?000, and 3.5 per 100?000 for meningiomas. A total of 70 high-grade gliomas (incidence rate of 1/100?000) and 171 pituitary tumours were diagnosed, both of which were more prevalent in the 4564-year age group. Meningiomas and pituitary tumours were more common in females. In paediatric patients, there were 36 cases of newly-diagnosed brain tumours, glioma being the most common. Conclusion The annual incidence rate of malignant gliomas was one per 100?000 in the Hong Kong population of Chinese origin. From comparisons with other studies, this suggests geographical and racial differences in the incidence of brain tumours, and warrants further collaboration and research regarding brain tumour epidemiology.