What are the survival rates for brain and spinal cord tumors. How does tumor type, grade, and location affect prognosis. What factors influence brain tumor treatment outcomes and patient survival.

Understanding Brain Tumor Survival Statistics

Brain and spinal cord tumors encompass a diverse group of conditions with varying prognoses. While general statistics provide insight into overall trends, it’s crucial to understand that individual outcomes can differ significantly. Survival rates are typically measured in terms of 1-year and 5-year intervals, but these figures don’t necessarily indicate a specific life expectancy.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and researchers collect data on cancer patients to analyze survival rates. The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who are still alive 5 years after their initial diagnosis. However, it’s important to note that many patients live well beyond this timeframe.

General Survival Statistics for Malignant Brain Tumors

For individuals diagnosed with cancerous (malignant) brain tumors in England:

• 40% survive for 1 year or more after diagnosis
• More than 10% survive for 5 years or more after diagnosis

These figures are based on net survival, which estimates the number of people who survive their cancer while accounting for other potential causes of death.

Factors Influencing Brain Tumor Survival Rates

Several key factors contribute to the prognosis and survival rates of brain and spinal cord tumors. Understanding these elements can provide valuable insight into potential treatment outcomes and overall patient outlook.

Tumor Type and Grade

Different types of brain tumors respond variably to treatment modalities. Some may be more susceptible to radiotherapy, while others might require alternative approaches. The grade of the tumor, which indicates its growth rate and aggressiveness, is often a critical prognostic factor.

How does tumor grade affect prognosis? Generally, high-grade tumors (fast-growing) have a higher likelihood of recurrence after treatment compared to low-grade tumors (slow-growing). However, the impact of grade can vary depending on the specific tumor type.

Biomarkers and Genetic Factors

Advancements in molecular diagnostics have led to the identification of certain genetic changes, or biomarkers, within tumor cells. These biomarkers can provide valuable information about a tumor’s behavior and potential response to treatment.

What role do biomarkers play in treatment decisions? Doctors use biomarker and molecular studies to tailor treatment approaches, helping to predict which tumors are more likely to respond to specific therapies. This personalized approach can significantly impact patient outcomes.

Tumor Location and Size

The position of a brain tumor within the cranial cavity can greatly influence treatment options and overall prognosis. Tumors located in certain areas, such as near the optic nerves, brain stem, or major blood vessels, may be more challenging to treat surgically.

How does tumor size impact treatment decisions? Larger tumors or those with ill-defined borders may be more difficult to remove completely. Conversely, small, well-defined tumors are often more amenable to surgical intervention. The shape and consistency of the tumor can also affect the ease of removal.

Age and General Health Considerations

A patient’s age and overall health status at the time of diagnosis play significant roles in determining prognosis and treatment outcomes for brain tumors.

Impact of Age on Prognosis

Research indicates that younger patients often have more favorable prognoses when it comes to brain tumors. Specifically, individuals under the age of 40 tend to have better outcomes compared to older patients.

Why do younger patients often fare better? Younger individuals may have greater physiological reserves and ability to withstand aggressive treatments. Additionally, certain tumor types are more common in specific age groups, which can influence overall survival statistics.

General Health and Treatment Tolerance

A patient’s overall health and fitness level can significantly impact their ability to tolerate and respond to brain tumor treatments.

How does general health affect treatment outcomes? Patients in good physical condition may recover more quickly from surgical interventions and experience fewer complications during chemotherapy or radiation treatments. This can lead to more successful treatment courses and potentially improved survival rates.

Treatment Modalities and Their Impact on Survival

The choice of treatment modality for brain tumors depends on various factors, including tumor type, location, and patient characteristics. Understanding the role of different treatments can provide insight into potential outcomes.

Surgical Intervention

Surgery is often the primary treatment for many types of brain tumors. The extent of tumor removal can significantly impact prognosis.

What factors determine surgical success? The location and accessibility of the tumor play crucial roles. Tumors in easily accessible areas of the brain may be more amenable to complete resection, potentially improving outcomes. However, tumors in critical or hard-to-reach areas may require more conservative approaches.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is commonly used in conjunction with surgery or as a primary treatment for certain brain tumors.

How effective is radiation therapy for brain tumors? The efficacy of radiation can vary depending on the tumor type and grade. Some tumors are more radiosensitive than others, responding better to this treatment modality. Advances in targeted radiation techniques have also improved outcomes for many patients.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy plays a vital role in the treatment of many brain tumors, either as a primary treatment or in combination with other modalities.

What factors influence chemotherapy success rates? The effectiveness of chemotherapy can depend on the specific tumor type, its genetic profile, and the ability of drugs to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Some tumors may be more chemosensitive than others, leading to better treatment responses.

Emerging Therapies and Future Directions

The field of neuro-oncology is rapidly evolving, with new treatment approaches showing promise for improving brain tumor survival rates.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the body’s immune system to fight cancer, is an area of active research in brain tumor treatment.

What potential does immunotherapy hold for brain tumor treatment? Early studies have shown promising results for certain types of brain tumors, particularly in combination with other treatment modalities. However, more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and identify the patients most likely to benefit.

Targeted Therapies

Advances in molecular profiling have led to the development of targeted therapies designed to attack specific genetic alterations within tumor cells.

How might targeted therapies improve brain tumor outcomes? By focusing on the specific molecular drivers of tumor growth, these therapies have the potential to be more effective and less toxic than traditional chemotherapy. Ongoing clinical trials are exploring various targeted agents for different brain tumor types.

Quality of Life Considerations

While survival rates are important, it’s equally crucial to consider quality of life factors when discussing brain tumor outcomes.

Neurological Function and Rehabilitation

Brain tumors and their treatments can impact various aspects of neurological function, including cognition, motor skills, and sensory perception.

What role does rehabilitation play in brain tumor recovery? Comprehensive rehabilitation programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, can significantly improve functional outcomes and quality of life for brain tumor patients. Early intervention and ongoing support are key to maximizing recovery potential.

Psychosocial Support

The emotional and psychological impact of a brain tumor diagnosis and treatment can be significant for both patients and their families.

How can psychosocial support improve outcomes? Access to mental health services, support groups, and counseling can help patients and caregivers cope with the challenges of brain tumor treatment and recovery. Addressing psychological well-being may indirectly contribute to better overall outcomes by improving treatment adherence and quality of life.

Importance of Individualized Care

While general statistics provide valuable insights, it’s crucial to remember that each brain tumor case is unique. Personalized treatment approaches that consider individual patient factors are essential for optimizing outcomes.

Multidisciplinary Care Teams

The complexity of brain tumor management often requires input from various medical specialties.

Why is a multidisciplinary approach important? Collaboration between neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists ensures comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of a patient’s condition. This approach can lead to more effective treatment strategies and improved overall outcomes.

Ongoing Monitoring and Adaptable Treatment Plans

Brain tumor management often requires long-term follow-up and the ability to adjust treatment strategies as needed.

How does ongoing monitoring impact survival rates? Regular imaging and clinical assessments allow for early detection of tumor recurrence or treatment-related complications. This proactive approach enables timely interventions that may improve long-term survival and quality of life.

In conclusion, while brain tumor survival rates have improved over the years, there is still much work to be done. Ongoing research into new treatment modalities, improved understanding of tumor biology, and personalized care approaches offer hope for continued advancements in brain tumor outcomes. Patients and their families should work closely with their healthcare teams to understand their specific prognosis and explore all available treatment options.

Survival for brain and spinal cord tumours

Survival for brain and spinal cord tumours depends on different factors. So no one call tell you exactly how long you will live.

These are general statistics based on large groups of people. Remember, they can’t tell you what will happen in your individual case.

Your doctor or specialist nurse can give you more information about your own outlook (prognosis).

You can also talk about this with the Cancer Research UK nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Survival is different for adults and children with brain and spinal cord tumours. This page is for adults with cancerous (malignant) and non cancerous (benign) brain tumours. 

We have separate information about survival for children with brain tumours.

About these statistics

The terms 1 year survival and 5 year survival don’t mean that you will only live for 1 or 5 years.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and researchers collect information. They watch what happens to people with cancer in the years after their diagnosis. 5 years is a common time point to measure survival. But some people live much longer than this.

5 year survival is the number of people who have not died from their cancer within 5 years after diagnosis.

What affects survival

Brain tumours are quite rare and there are many different types. Survival depends on many factors.

Type of tumour

Different types of brain tumours respond differently to treatment. Some respond better to radiotherapy than others, for example. Some types are likely to spread into the surrounding brain tissue or down the spinal cord. This might make them difficult to remove with surgery.

Grade of the tumour 

The grade is one of the most important factors for some types of tumours. But for others, the grade is much less likely to predict how the tumour might behave. Generally, fast growing (high grade) tumours are much more likely to come back after treatment than slow growing (low grade) tumours.

Biomarkers

Your doctor looks to see if there are certain gene changes in the cells of some types of brain tumours. These tests are also called biomarker or molecular studies. 

The results of these tests help the doctors work out how your tumour might behave. They also help them see how likely it is that the tumour will respond to treatment. 

Position in the brain

The type of treatment you have might depend on where the tumour is in your brain. For example, surgery is the main treatment for most types of brain tumour. But some parts of the brain are more difficult to operate on than others. These include areas near the nerves that control your sight (optic nerves), the brain stem, spinal cord, or areas close to major blood vessels.

Sometimes the tumour may be in an area where it isn’t possible for doctors to operate on. For tumours in these areas, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be better options for treatment.  

Size or shape of the brain tumour

It might be more difficult to remove large tumours, or those where the edge of the tumour is not clear. Small, firm and rounded tumours are easier to remove. It is also easier for surgeons to remove tumours that start in the lining of the brain and spinal cord.  

Age and general health at diagnosis

Your prognosis is better if you are younger than 40. Your general health can also affect your prognosis. If you are very fit and healthy, you are likely to recover quicker from treatment. 

Survival for all types of cancerous (malignant) brain tumour

Generally for people with a cancerous (malignant) brain tumour in England:

• 40 out of 100 people (40%) survive their cancer for 1 year or more
• more than 10 out of 100 people (more than 10%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more

Where this information comes from

Cancer survival by stage at diagnosis for England, 2019
Office for National Statistics

These figures are for people diagnosed in England between 2013 and 2017.  

These statistics are for net survival. Net survival estimates the number of people who survive their cancer rather than calculating the number of people diagnosed with cancer who are still alive. In other words, it is the survival of cancer patients after taking into account that some people would have died from other causes if they had not had cancer.

Survival for the different types of malignant brain tumours

The following statistics are for different types of brain tumours that can be cancerous (malignant).

Please note, some of the tumours included in the list below can also be non cancerous (benign).

Doctors use a system to group (classify) brain tumours into different types. The World Health Organisation (WHO) regularly updates this system. Doctors have changed how they group some brain tumour types following the latest WHO classification in 2021.

These updates can make it challenging to present survival statistics. The available survival data is based on patients diagnosed using older classification systems. It takes time for doctors to start using the new classification systems. And cancer registries also need to update their data collection systems.

Astrocytoma and glioblastoma

The way doctors classify astrocytomas and glioblastomas has changed. The survival data below is for patients diagnosed using an older WHO classification system. Your doctor or specialist nurse can help you understand which statistics are most relevant for your situation.

Below, we provide statistics for:

• grade 2 astrocytoma, which is sometimes called diffuse astrocytoma
• grade 3 astrocytoma, which is sometimes called anaplastic astrocytoma
• glioblastoma (which used to be called grade 4 astrocytoma)

The following statistics are from a large international study. This collected survival statistics for people in 59 different countries including the UK. The study looked at people diagnosed with brain tumours between 2000 and 2014. The following figures are for people in the UK, diagnosed between 2010 and 2014:

For diffuse astrocytoma (grade 2 astrocytoma):

• 45 out of 100 people (45%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more

For anaplastic astrocytoma (grade 3 astrocytoma):

• more than 20 out of 100 people (more than 20%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more

For glioblastoma:

• more than 5 out of 100 people (more than 5%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more

Where this information comes from

CONCORD Working Group. Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3).
F Girardi and others
Neuro Oncology, 2023 Volume 25, Issue 3, Pages 580-592

These statistics are for Net survival. Net survival estimates the number of people who survive their cancer rather than calculating the number of people diagnosed with cancer who are still alive. In other words, it is the survival of cancer patients after taking into account that some people would have died from other causes if they had not had cancer.

Ependymoma

The following statistics come from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at children and adults diagnosed with a brain tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

For all types of ependymoma in the brain and spinal cord:

• around 90 out of 100 people (around 90%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more
• more than 85 out of 100 people (more than 85%) survive their cancer for 10 years or more

Ependymomas can be cancerous (malignant) or not cancerous (benign).

For malignant ependymomas:

• around 85 out of 100 people (around 85%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more

For benign ependymomas:

• around 95 out of 100 people (around 95%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 -105

These statistics are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Oligodendroglioma

The following statistics are from a large international study. This collected survival statistics for people with brain tumours in 59 different countries including the UK. The study looked at people diagnosed between 2000 and 2014. The following figures are for people in the UK, diagnosed between 2010 and 2014:

For all grades of oligodendroglioma:

• almost 55 out of 100 people (almost 55%) survived their brain tumour for 5 years or more

Where this information comes from

CONCORD Working Group. Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3).
F Girardi and others
Neuro Oncology 2023, Volume 25, Issue 3, Pages 580-592

These statistics are for Net survival. Net survival estimates the number of people who survive their cancer rather than calculating the number of people diagnosed with cancer who are still alive. In other words, it is the survival of cancer patients after taking into account that some people would have died from other causes if they had not had cancer.

Meningioma

Meningiomas can start in the brain or the spinal cord. Most meningiomas start in the brain (cranial meningiomas).

Doctors group meningiomas into groups based on how quickly they are likely to grow (the grade). Most meningiomas are grade 1 or grade 2. These are non cancerous (benign) tumours. They can also be grade 3 but this is rare. Grade 3 tumours are cancerous (malignant).

There are no UK wide survival statistics for meningioma. The information below is from people diagnosed with a cranial (brain) meningioma in England between 1999 and 2013:

• almost 70 out of 100 people (almost 70%) with a grade 1 or grade 2 brain meningioma survive their cancer for 10 years or more
• around 40 out of 100 people (around 40%) with a grade 3 brain meningioma survive their cancer or 10 years or more

Where this information comes from

Epidemiology of Meningiomas in England
T Karabatsou and others
On behalf of the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS)

These statistics for people with meningioma are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Embryonal tumours

Embryonal tumours develop from cells that are leftover from the early stages of our development. Until recently, doctors talked about embryonal tumours as primitive neuro ectodermal tumours (PNETs). There are different types of embryonal tumours including medulloblastomas and neuroblastomas.  

There are no UK wide statistics for survival for these tumours. The following statistics are from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at children and adults diagnosed with a brain tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

For embryonal tumours in people aged 15 to 39:

• around 70 out of 100 people (around 70%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more
• 60 out of 100 people (60%) survive their brain tumour for 10 years or more

For embryonal tumours in people aged 40 or older:

• 45 out of 100 people (45%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more
• more than 35 out of 100 people (more than 35%) survive their brain tumour for 10 years or more

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

These statistics are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Pineal region tumours

There are many types of tumours that start in the pineal region. The outlook for these tumours depends on the type of tumour you have.

There are no UK statistics for survival for these tumours. The following statistics come from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at children and adults diagnosed with a brain tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

For all pineal region tumours:

• 80 out of 100 people (80%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more
• almost 75 out of 100 people (almost 75%) survive their brain tumour for 10 years or more

Pineal region tumours can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).

For malignant pineal region tumours:

• almost 75 out of 100 people aged 15 to 39 (almost 75%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more
• 70 out of 100 people aged 40 or older (70%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more

For benign pineal region brain tumours:

• more than 95 out of 100 people aged 15 to 39 (more than 95%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more
• more than 85 out of 100 people aged 40 or older (more than 85%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

These statistics are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Spinal cord tumours

There are different types of spinal cord tumours. The most common types are meningiomas, tumours of the spinal nerves and ependymomas. Spinal cord tumours can be cancerous (malignant) or non cancerous (benign). Benign tumours have a better prognosis than malignant tumours.

There are no statistics in the UK for survival of all types of spinal cord tumours. The following statistics come from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at children and adults diagnosed with a brain and spinal tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

Generally, for people with malignant and benign spinal cord tumours:

• almost 95 out of 100 people (almost 95%) survive their spinal cord tumour for 5 years or more
• around 90 out of 100 people (around 90%) survive their spinal cord tumour for 10 years or more 

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

These statistics are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Lymphoma of the brain or spinal cord

Lymphoma of the brain or spinal cord is also known as primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.

There are no UK statistics for primary CNS lymphoma survival. The following statistics come from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at children and adults diagnosed with a brain tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

For primary CNS lymphoma:

• almost 40 out of 100 people (almost 40%) survive their lymphoma for 5 years or more
• around 30 out of 100 people (around 30%) survive their lymphoma for 10 years or more

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

These statistics are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Survival for different types of non cancerous (benign) brain tumours

The following statistics are for brain tumours that are usually non cancerous (benign):

Vestibular Schwannoma (acoustic neuroma)

Vestibular schwannoma is the most common type of non cancerous (benign) nerve sheath tumour. Survival statistics are available for nerve sheath tumours, from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at people diagnosed with a brain tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

For benign nerve sheath tumours:

• 99 out of 100 (99%) people survive their tumour for 5 years or more 

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

These statistics for adults with benign nerve sheath tumours, diagnosed between 2001 and 2017. They are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Pituitary tumours

Most pituitary tumours are non cancerous (benign). Benign pituitary gland tumours are also called pituitary adenomas.

There are no UK survival statistics for these tumours. The following statistics come from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at children and adults diagnosed with a brain tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

For all pituitary gland tumours:

• more than 95 out of 100 people (more than 95%) survive their brain tumour for 5 years or more
• 95 out of 100 people (95%) survive their brain tumour for 10 years or more

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

These statistics are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Haemangioblastoma

Haemangioblastomas are rare slow growing tumours. The following statistics come from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at children and adults diagnosed with a brain tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

Haemangioblastomas are a type of haemangioma. For haemangiomas:

• 95 out of 100 people (95%) survive their tumour for 5 years or more
• almost 95 out of 100 people (almost 95%) survive their tumour for 10 years or more

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

These statistics are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

Craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngiomas are tumours that grow near the base of the brain. These tumours do not usually spread and have a good prognosis.

The following statistics come from the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). This report looked at children and adults diagnosed with a brain tumour in America between 2014 and 2018.

Please be aware that due to differences in health care systems, data collection and the population, these figures are not a true picture of survival in the UK.

For craniopharyngiomas:

• around 85 out of 100 people (around 85%) survive their tumour for 5 years or more
• 80 out of 100 people (80%) survive their tumour for 10 years or more

Where this information comes from

CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
Q Ostrom and others
Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

These statistics are for relative survival. Relative survival takes into account that some people die of causes other than cancer. This gives a more accurate picture of cancer survival.

More statistics

• The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System: a summary.
  D Louis and others
  Neuro Oncology, 2021 Volume 23, Issue 8, Pages 1231-1251

• CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2014-2018
  Q Ostrom and others
  Neuro Oncology 2021, Volume 23, Issue 12, Supplement 2, Pages 1 to 105

• Cancer survival by stage at diagnosis for England, 2019
  Office for National Statistics

• Epidemiology of Meningiomas in England
  T Karabatsou and others
  On behalf of the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS)

• CONCORD Working Group. Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3).
  F Girardi and others
  Neuro Oncol. 2023 Volume 25, issue 3, pages 580-592

• The information on this page is based on literature searches and specialist checking. We used many references and there are too many to list here. Please contact [email protected] with details of the particular issue you are interested in if you need additional references for this information.

Last reviewed: 

16 Jun 2023

Next review due: 

16 Jun 2026

Print page

Survival Rates for Selected Adult Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

• What is a 5-year relative survival rate?
• Survival rates for more common adult brain and spinal cord tumors
• Understanding the numbers

Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of people with the same type of brain or spinal cord tumor are still alive a certain amount of time (such as 5 years) after they were diagnosed. They can’t tell you how long you will live, but they may help give you a better understanding of how likely it is that your treatment will be successful.

Keep in mind that survival rates are estimates and are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had a specific type of tumor, but they can’t predict what will happen in any particular person’s case. These statistics can be confusing and may lead you to have more questions. Your doctor is familiar with your situation; ask how these numbers may apply to you.

What is a 5-year relative survival rate?

A relative survival rate compares people with the same type of tumor to people in the overall population. For example, if the 5-year relative survival rate for a specific type of brain tumor is 70%, it means that people who have that tumor are, on average, about 70% as likely as people who don’t have that tumor to live for at least 5 years after being diagnosed.

Survival rates for more common adult brain and spinal cord tumors

The numbers in the table come from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) and are based on people who were treated between 2001 and 2015. As can be seen below, survival rates for some types of brain and spinal cord tumors can vary widely by age, with younger people tending to have better outlooks than older people. The survival rates for those 65 or older are generally lower than the rates for the ages listed below.

These numbers are for some of the more common types of brain and spinal cord tumors. Accurate numbers are not readily available for all types of tumors, often because they are rare or are hard to classify.

Understanding the numbers

• These numbers don’t take everything into account. Survival rates are grouped here based on tumor type and a person’s age. But other factors, such as the location of the tumor, whether it can be removed (or destroyed) completely, and if the tumor cells have certain gene or chromosome changes, can also affect your outlook.
• People now being diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors may have a better outlook than these numbers show. Treatments improve over time, and these numbers are based on people who were diagnosed and treated at least five years earlier.
• Remember, these survival rates can’t predict what will happen to any individual person. If you find these statistics are confusing and you have more questions, talk to your doctor to better understand your specific situation.

The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team

Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

Ostrom QT, Cioffi G, Gittleman H, et al. CBTRUS statistical report: Primary brain and other central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2012–2016. Neuro-Oncol. 2019;21 Suppl 5:v1–v100.

Last Revised: May 5, 2020

American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.

Grade 4 brain cancer: how long do they live with brain cancer? Stages of brain cancer

All types of cancer are usually classified into stages, depending on how much the tumor has spread. The stages of a brain tumor differ in signs:

• most often, the first stage of cancer corresponds to a neoplasm that is located within the same organ,
• second – spread to nearby (regional) lymph nodes,
• the third – spread to neighboring organs.

These stages of a brain tumor differ significantly from the fourth. Cancer in the last stage is called metastatic because it has distant metastases in various parts of the body. Such tumors are practically not amenable to treatment, the prognosis in most cases is unfavorable, the doctor can only slow down the progression and prolong the life of the patient.

In brain cancer, the picture is somewhat different. Such tumors are primarily dangerous not by metastases, but by the fact that they damage the nerve centers and disrupt important brain functions.

In connection with the above, it is important to distinguish not only the stages of a brain tumor, but also other characteristics of a malignant neoplasm. In brain tumors, grades of malignancy are distinguished. The most significant sign by which a tumor is attributed to one or another degree of malignancy is the microscopic structure of the cells. There are 4 criteria:

• Atypia – “wrong” cell structure.
• Active cell division.
• Active growth of new vessels.
• Areas of necrosis – tissue death due to insufficient blood flow.

Depending on the presence of these signs, 4 degrees of malignancy are distinguished:

• I degree – they grow slowly, never grow into the surrounding tissues.
• II degree – cells have one of the four signs of malignancy, usually atypia. Such tumors grow slowly, but can grow into the surrounding tissue.
• III degree – there are two signs of malignancy, but not necrosis. These types of cancer behave like full-fledged malignant tumors. They grow quite quickly and spread to the surrounding healthy tissue.
• IV degree – 3 or all 4 signs are present, necessarily including necrosis. These are the most aggressive and deadly tumors.

Stage 4 Brain Tumor Types: Classification

Most often, the phrase “stage 4 brain cancer” refers to glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive type of brain cancer. It accounts for approximately 15% of all brain tumors, the causes of its occurrence are not fully known. The main risk factors are considered genetic disorders, exposure of the head area. Also considered as risk factors are: smoking, some viral infections, contact with pesticides and other toxic substances.

Glioblastoma can develop on its own or at the site of a benign tumor.

Stage 4 brain cancer symptoms

Glioblastoma grows very quickly and compresses the brain tissue. This is mainly due to the symptoms of stage 4 brain cancer:

• Constant headache.
• Seizures.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Violation of thinking, cognitive abilities.
• Visual impairment, double vision.
• Personality change, frequent mood swings.
• Restless behavior.
• Loss of consciousness.

These manifestations are not very pronounced at first, but the glioblastoma grows rapidly, and they also increase. Symptoms of stage IV brain cancer resemble those of other diseases, so a correct diagnosis can only be made after a thorough examination.

Diagnosis of a brain tumor

With stage 4 brain cancer, the symptoms do not allow an accurate diagnosis, as they are nonspecific and resemble manifestations of other pathologies. To accurately understand the nature of the disease, it is necessary to conduct an examination.

Brain tumors are best detected by MRI. Stage IV brain cancer is diagnosed by tests such as:

• Computed and positron emission tomography. They help to detect metastases in other parts of the body. They can also be used to detect the primary focus and distinguish between a primary brain tumor and a metastatic one.
• Biopsy is a procedure when a doctor receives a piece of tumor tissue and sends it to a laboratory for examination. The material can be obtained with a needle under CT or MRI control, or during surgery. A biopsy performed with a needle is called a stereotaxic biopsy. In order to perform it, a hole needs to be drilled in the skull.

Treatment

Treatment of stage 4 brain tumors is a complex task. Most often, it is palliative in nature and is aimed at prolonging the life of the patient.

Surgical treatment of stage 4 brain cancer

It is often impossible to remove the entire tumor. During the operation, the surgeon seeks to remove as much of it as possible. It has been proven that the removal of more than 98% of the tumor volume helps to greatly prolong the life of the patient. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, due to the inconvenient location of the focus, strong germination into the surrounding tissues, close proximity to vital nerve centers.

Radiation therapy for brain cancer grade 4

Even if the surgeon succeeds in completely removing the glioblastoma, recurrence may occur later due to the remaining cancer cells in the body. In order to prevent this, a course of radiation therapy is usually performed after the operation. After partial removal of the tumor, radiation therapy destroys some of the remaining cancer cells, thereby prolonging the life of the patient.

Chemotherapy for grade 4 brain cancer

Aggressive brain tumors are resistant to most chemotherapy drugs. But good results are shown by adding temozolomide to the course of radiation therapy. It is believed that it increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation.

Bevacizumab is being targeted. It blocks the formation of new vessels in the tumor, thereby depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. Targeted therapy helps to fight symptoms, but does not affect survival.

What factors affect survival?

Prognosis for brain cancer is based on several factors:

• Patient’s age.
• Tumor size and location.
• The degree of impairment of certain nervous functions, how much this affects the quality of life.
• Tumor type.
• Grade of malignancy.
• Presence of certain mutations in tumor cells.
• The ability to remove the entire tumor or at least most of it by surgery.
• Spread of tumor cells to other parts of the nervous system and other parts of the body.

Survival prognosis

In general, the success of treatment depends on the stage of brain cancer. The prognosis for glioblastoma multiforme is unfavorable. Typically, patients with this diagnosis live no more than a year. However, there are cases when the life of patients could be extended for a longer period.

Appointment for a consultation around the clock

+7 (495) 668-82-28

symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, stages and prevention of brain tumors

A malignant brain tumor, often referred to as brain cancer, is a neoplasm of mutated cells that is characterized by relatively rapid growth and the ability to grow into neighboring tissues and other organs. This is an extremely dangerous pathology, since at an early stage, when it is quite easy to cope with it, it is detected only as a result of special studies. The disease can develop in a person of any age and gender, even cases of congenital neoplasms have been registered. As the tumor grows, it occupies more and more space in the cranium, which leads to compression of other tissues and a gradual increase in intracranial pressure. Therefore, even a benign cell formation over time acquires a malignant course and can be fatal.

Species

According to the method of tumor formation, oncologists distinguish brain cancer:

• primary – formed directly from the cells belonging to the organ;
• secondary, or metastatic – arising from penetration into the cranium of metastases from other organs of the body.

Primary neoplasms occur 3-4 times less often than secondary ones and account for approximately 1.5% of all cases of oncological diseases. The overall incidence of cerebral tumors is 5-6%, and the risk of their development increases with age. In children, this disease is extremely rare – statistics record no more than 2.4 cases per 100 thousand of the population under the age of 18.

Depending on which tissue has become the source for the neoplasm, the following types are distinguished.

• Astrocytomas (gangliomas) that develop directly in the brain cells and account for up to 80% of all clinical cases.
• Meningiomas originating from the meninges, and their cells rarely acquire malignant features, although the growth of tumors in any case negatively affects the functioning of the brain.
• Neurinomas arising from the myelin sheath of nerve fibers within the skull.
• Pituitary adenomas that form in the pituitary tissue and show malignant features in rare cases.

Call +7 (495) 995-22-33 or leave a request
, we will call you back

I consent to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of processing applications on the terms of processing personal data in accordance with
“Personal data processing policy in JSC “Medicina”.

Symptoms

Signs of brain cancer are divided into general cerebral, i. e. manifested in all types of the disease without exception, and focal, in the aggregate of which it is possible to form a primary idea of ​​the localization of the neoplasm.

Common symptoms of a brain tumor that appear due to an increase in intracranial pressure include:

• the appearance of persistent headaches, which are aggravated by sudden movements of the head and are not relieved by drugs;
• sudden dizziness, nausea and vomiting, fainting;
• feeling of constant tiredness, drowsiness;
• appearance of problems with visual perception – vagueness of the picture, “flies”, hallucinations;
• violation of orientation in space and coordination.

In turn, the focal symptoms of brain cancer depend on the location of the tumor and allow localizing the pathology:

• in the forehead – by weakening one half of the body, loss of smell, change in the patient’s character;
• in the temple area – for convulsions, speech disorders, developing forgetfulness;
• in the region of the crown – for speech impairment, loss of sensitivity of half of the body;
• in the occipital lobe – by loss of vision in one of the eyes;
• in the cerebellum – by vibration of the eyeball, uncoordinated movements, spasm of the neck muscles;
• in the brain stem – unsteady gait, swallowing and speech difficulties, weakness of the facial muscles.

In order not to miss the onset of the disease, if even one or two first signs of brain cancer appear, it is necessary to consult a neurologist and undergo an examination.

Causes and risk factors

As medical practice shows, the main cause of brain cancer is metastasis from other organs affected by the disease. For primary neoplasms, risk factors have been identified that increase the incidence of pathology:

• old age – 50 years and above;
• having a close relative with a brain tumor;
• adverse effect of radiation exposure;
• genetic pathologies;
• prolonged contact with certain chemicals;
• trauma or concussion.

The presence of one or more of these signs does not mean that you will definitely get sick. However, in this case, it is necessary to be especially careful and undergo an examination when alarming symptoms appear.

Stages

Cancer specialists distinguish four main stages characteristic of brain oncology.

1. A small number of cells are affected, the size of the neoplasm is small, but it is already beginning to have an effect, expressed by a feeling of weakness, drowsiness, periodic headaches without a clear localization. If you do not neglect these symptoms of an early stage of brain cancer and undergo an examination, then the detected tumor is cured in almost one hundred percent of cases.
2. The tumor grows and spreads to neighboring tissues that are located next to it. Symptoms intensify, become more pronounced and noticeable. Some patients already at this stage develop convulsions and seizures similar to epileptic ones. The chances of successful surgical treatment remain, although not fully.
3. The growth of the neoplasm accelerates, it grows into healthy tissues, and there is a threat of a lethal outcome. A characteristic sign of the third stage is nystagmus – constantly running pupils. The probability of recognizing the inoperability of the tumor is high, and in this case the patient receives only symptomatic treatment.
4. The tumor affects all the brain tissues located in its vicinity, and rapidly increases in size. The patient’s condition deteriorates sharply, possibly falling into a coma. At this stage, an operation to remove the pathological formation is impossible, the prognosis is unfavorable. Therapy is aimed only at alleviating the suffering of the patient.

In primary brain tumors, there are no metastases to other organs. The disease of a secondary nature most often develops due to the patient’s melanoma, kidney cancer, sarcoma, or colon tumor that metastasizes to the brain.

Diagnostics

As a rule, diagnostic examinations for brain oncology are carried out in the following way. You come to a consultation with a neurologist who listens to complaints, conducts an examination and prescribes instrumental studies.

• CT scan of the head, which detects the presence of neoplasms already at the first stage.
• MRI of the brain with contrast, which is performed for the early detection and localization of cancer.
• Angiography that reveals abnormalities in the structure of cerebral vessels.
• Scintigraphy, or radioisotope contrast study, effective for the early detection of tumors.
• Lumbar puncture, which obtains a sample of tumor tissue for further analysis.

Types of studies are selected by the doctor depending on the symptoms. The totality of the data obtained allows not only to identify the tumor, but also to accurately localize it, determine the size and stage of the disease, which is important for determining subsequent actions.

Treatment

Since the brain is an extremely specific organ, the treatment of tumors is the prerogative of a neurologist or neurosurgeon, if a decision is made to require surgery. The choice of method depends on the localization of the pathological formation and the stage of its development.

• Surgical intervention allows you to completely get rid of the disease only in some cases, when the tumor is located in a place convenient for penetration and affects a minimum of tissue. More often, surgery is performed to reduce the severity of symptoms.
• Chemotherapy can be carried out not only for adults, but also for children, drugs are administered orally or in the form of injections.
• Radiation therapy is usually necessary to remove tumor remnants that cannot be removed during surgery.
• Corticosteroids are prescribed to reduce tissue swelling and inflammation. They have no effect on malignant cells.
• Symptomatic drugs, which include painkillers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants, are prescribed to make the patient feel better and reduce symptoms.

Forecasts

The earlier treatment is started, the greater the chance of success. At the first stage of the disease, the guarantee of complete elimination of the tumor is almost one hundred percent. On the second – there are considerable chances for a favorable outcome. In the third stage, the goal of treatment is often not getting rid of a malignant formation, but alleviating the condition and prolonging the patient’s life.

Prevention

An effective measure to prevent brain cancer is to stop smoking and eating highly processed meat products that contain carcinogens. It is equally important to lead a healthy lifestyle with moderate physical activity, avoid stress, and maintain a normal weight for your age. For early detection of a tumor, you should periodically consult an oncologist and do a blood test for the presence of tumor markers.

Call +7 (495) 995-22-33 or leave a request
, we will call you back

I consent to the processing of the personal data specified by me for the purpose of processing applications on the terms of processing personal data in accordance with
“Personal data processing policy in JSC “Medicina”.

Rehabilitation

To return the patient to a normal lifestyle after the treatment, the doctor may prescribe rehabilitation procedures, depending on the nature and degree of brain damage.

• Physical therapy is needed to restore coordination and muscle strength.
• Classes with a speech therapist are useful for speech disorders.
• Treatment by a psychologist or psychotherapist is required for patients with developed depression, impaired memory and thinking.
• Taking anticonvulsants to prevent epileptic seizures.

After completion of treatment, it must be remembered that brain tumors can recur, and regular preventive examinations should be carried out.

Diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer in Moscow

A brain tumor is a serious and very dangerous disease that must be diagnosed and treated by qualified doctors using modern medical equipment. You will receive all this by contacting the Institute of Nuclear Medicine, where neurologists and oncologists of the highest category with many years of experience in medical practice conduct appointments. Give us a call to ask any questions you have and to book an appointment with your preferred doctor.

Questions and answers

Can brain cancer be cured?

Yes, brain tumors are completely curable in the first stage of the disease. In the second stage, the chances are also very high, but relapses are possible. If you go to the clinic immediately after the appearance of even minor symptoms, then the treatment is likely to be successful.

How long do people live with brain cancer?

Life expectancy depends on the stage of development of the disease, the presence of malignant neoplasms in other organs, and also on how quickly treatment is started. Even with stage 3-4 tumors, there is up to 32% chance of living for more than 5 years in the presence of complex treatment in a modern clinic.