Survival from brain tumours in England and Wales up to 2001

Brain tumours comprise 2% of all malignant neoplasms in adults in England and Wales, with some 4000 new cases and 3000 deaths each year. Incidence has increased by approximately 25% since 1971 in England and Wales ( Quinn et al, 2001 ). Similar increases have been seen in other western countries ( Muir et al, 1994 ). Brain tumours are 20–50% more common in men. Incidence was approximately 25% higher in the most affluent fifth of the population in England and Wales than in the most deprived fifth during 1991–1993 ( Quinn et al, 2001 ).