Introduction: Introduction
Pilocytic astrocytoma while considered low grade, is associated with differing mortality rates based on patient variables. We examined epidemiological data over two decades for pilocytic astrocytoma patients and classified survival rates by decade, age, and geography within the United States.
Methods: Methods
We analyzed survival rates in pilocytic astrocytoma using the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. In cases diagnosed between 1985 and 2004, 12-month, 60-month, and 120-month survival data was compiled, and analyzed by decade of diagnosis, age, and geographic region.
Results: Results
We reviewed 5,522 cases over two decades. From 1985-1994, survival rate decreased as age increased from 98.0% 1-year survival in the 0-9 years age group to 80.0% 1-year survival in the 70-79 years age group. Incidence decreased as age increased. Survival was similar across geographic regions, except a 69.6% 5-year rate in the Southwest from 1985-1994 in the 0-9 age group, which was lower than the other geographic regions in that decade. 100% 5-year survival rate was identified in the East from 1995-2004 in the 0-9 age group, higher than other regions in that decade. Incidence was higher from 1995-2004 compared to 1985-1994. Survival rates across all ages and geography are improved in the latter decade.
Conclusions: Conclusion
Age, geography, and decade of diagnosis impact both short and long-term survival rates in pilocytic astrocytoma. Further studies are needed to examine the social and biologic factors involved in these discrepancies.
Patient Care: This will improve patient care by allowing long term patterns in a large sample of patients to be identified so more information is available to better treat patients.
Learning Objectives: Several objectives in researching this tumor included identifying long term patterns in survival to better patient care for the future.