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

New cases

In 2017, there were 1,809 new cases of brain cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,102 males and 707 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 1,896 new cases of brain cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,171 males and 725 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 161 (or 0.62%) risk of being diagnosed with brain cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 130 or 0.77% for males and 1 in 211 or 0.47% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2021

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 6.7 cases per 100,000 persons (8.4 for males and 5.0 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 6.5 cases per 100,000 persons (8.2 for males and 4.8 for females). The incidence rate for brain cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80–84 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for brain cancer, 1982 to 2017, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 854 (491 males and 363 females) in 1982 to 1,809 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 6.3 cases per 100,000 persons (7.5 for males and 5.1 for females) in 1982 to 6.7 cases per 100,000 in 2017.

Deaths

In 2019, there were 1,470 deaths from brain cancer in Australia (889 males and 581 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 1,528 deaths (935 males and 593 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 191 (or 0.52%) risk of dying from brain cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 155 or 0.65% for males and 1 in 249 or 0.40% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2021

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 5.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.4 for males and 3.8 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 5.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.4 for males and 3.7 for females). The mortality rate for brain cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80-84 years.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for brain cancer, 1982 to 2019, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 1,470 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate remained at 5.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.0 for males and 4.2 for females) in 1982 and 2019. 

Survival

In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with brain cancer had a 22% chance (22% for males and 23% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for brain cancer improved from 20% to 22%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for brain cancer, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2016, there were 1,306 people living who had been diagnosed with brain cancer that year, 3,322 people living who had been diagnosed with brain cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 7,945 people living who had been diagnosed with brain cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).

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.