NCDB analysis of impact of sex on survival of central nervous system tumors in young adult patients

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors rank among the top 5 cancer diagnosed in young adults aged 20 to 39 years at diagnosis, and show a clear male excess in incidence. It is unknown whether sex differences in survival persist across histologic types and depend on the treatment received. Analysis of the National Cancer Database (2004-2016) found that young adult males compared to females had an increased risk of death after a brain tumor diagnosis overall (HR 1,47; 95% CI 1.41-1.53) and for 8 histologies. Treatment received mediated a portion of the association between sex and death after a CNS tumor, but sex itself appeared to be a stronger risk factor for death.