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Trends in childhood cancer incidence in the U.S. (1992–2004)

  1. Amy M. Linabery MS, MPH1,
  2. Julie A. Ross PhD1,2,†,*

Article first published online: 11 DEC 2007

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23169

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 112, Issue 2, pages 416–432, 15 January 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Linabery, A. M. and Ross, J. A. (2008), Trends in childhood cancer incidence in the U.S. (1992–2004). Cancer, 112: 416–432. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23169

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  2. 2

    University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  1. †

    Fax: (612) 626-4842

*Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 422, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 4 JAN 2008
  2. Article first published online: 11 DEC 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 16 AUG 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 14 AUG 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 27 DEC 2006

Funded by

  • National Institutes of Health. Grant Number: T32 CA099936
  • Children's Cancer Research Fund

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Keywords:

  • epidemiology;
  • childhood cancer;
  • incidence;
  • trends

Abstract

BACKGROUND.

The etiology of most pediatric neoplasms remains elusive. Examination of population-based incidence data provides insight regarding etiology among various demographic groups and may result in new hypotheses. The objective of the current study was to present updated information regarding childhood cancer incidence and trends in the U.S. overall and among demographic subgroups, including Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics, for whom to the authors' knowledge trends have not been previously examined.

METHODS.

Data obtained by 13 registries of the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program were evaluated to assess incidence and trends of common primary cancers diagnosed between 1992 and 2004 among children aged birth to 19 years. Frequencies, age-adjusted incidence rates, and joinpoint regression results, including annual percent change (APC) in incidence rates (and 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]), were calculated.

RESULTS.

Between 1992 and 2004, a modest, nonsignificant increase in the average annual incidence rate (APC, 0.4%; 95% CI, −0.1%–0.8%) was observed for all pediatric cancer diagnoses combined. There was a suggestion of an increase in leukemia (APC, 0.7%; 95% CI, −0.1%–1.5%), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in particular (APC, 0.8%; 95% CI, −0.4%–1.9%), whereas rates for central nervous system tumors overall were stable (APC, −0.1%; 95% CI, −1.1%–1.0%); 2 joinpoints were observed for astrocytoma. Rate increases were noted for hepatoblastoma (APC, 4.3%; 95% CI, 0.2%–8.7%) and melanoma (APC, 2.8%; 95% CI, 0.5%–5.1%). Differences by demographic group (sex, age, and race/ethnicity) are also described.

CONCLUSIONS.

The observed trends reinforce an ongoing need for population-based surveillance and further etiologic studies. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.

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