Brain cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C71 (Malignant neoplasm of brain)

New cases

In 2016, there were 1,771 new cases of brain cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,062 males and 709 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 1,879 new cases of brain cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,113 males and 767 females).

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

In 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 6.7 cases per 100,000 persons (8.3 for males and 5.2 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will reduce to 6.5 cases per 100,000 persons (8.0 for males and 5.2 for females). The incidence rate for brain cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80–84.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for brain cancer, 1982 to 2016, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for brain cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

The number of new cases of brain cancer diagnosed increased from 855 (491 males and 364 females) in 1982 to 1,771 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate was 6.3 cases per 100,000 persons (7.5 for males and 5.1 for females) in 1982 and 6.7 cases per 100,000 in 2016.

Deaths

In 2018, brain cancer was the 10th most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will be the 9th most common cause of death from cancer in 2020.

In 2018, there were 1,410 deaths from brain cancer in Australia (845 males and 565 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 1,518 deaths (921 males and 597 females).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)

In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 5.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.2 for males and 3.8 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 5.1 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.5 for males and 3.9 for females). The mortality rate for brain cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80-84.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for brain cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for brain cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)

The number of deaths from brain cancer increased from 663 (376 males and 287 females) in 1982 to 1,410 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate was the same, at 5.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.0 for males and 4.2 for females) in 1982 and in 2018.

Survival

In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with brain cancer had a 22 % chance (21% for males and 24% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for brain cancer improved from 21% to 22%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for brain cancer, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about 5-year relative survival rates for brain cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)

Prevalence

At the end of 2015, there were 1,317 people living who had been diagnosed with brain cancer that year, 3,279 people living who had been diagnosed with brain cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 7,734 people living who had been diagnosed with brain cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).

For more information, see Brain cancer on the NCCI website

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes.  The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.