Global, regional, and national burden of neuroblastoma and peripheral nervous system tumours in individuals aged over 60 from 1990 to 2021: a trend analysis of global burden of disease study.

Purpose: Elderly individuals diagnosed with neuroblastoma and peripheral nervous system tumours often have a poor prognosis. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive analysis on these conditions in older adults. This study aims to determine the global epidemiological trends of neuroblastoma and peripheral nervous system tumours (in individuals aged 60 and above).

Methods: We obtained cross-sectional data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) ( https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/ ). We assessed the burden of neuroblastoma and peripheral nervous system tumours in the elderly from 1990 to 2021 using indicators such as prevalence and incidence. These indicators were classified by global, national, and regional levels, further stratified by Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), age, and gender. The results are organized by SDI, age, and gender categories.

Results: From 1990 to 2021, the global age-standardised prevalence and incidence rates of neuroblastoma and peripheral nervous system tumours among the elderly increased from 0.06 (95% UI 0.05, 0.08) and 0.12 (95% UI 0.09, 0.15) per 100,000 to 0.11 (95% UI 0.09, 0.13) and 0.22 (95% UI 0.17, 0.26) per 100,000, respectively. Age-standardised mortality and DALY rates also rose. Central Europe had the highest age-standardised prevalence and incidence rates in 2021, while Eastern Europe had the highest DALY rate. East Asia reported the highest number of total cases and experienced the fastest growth, with significant increases in prevalence, incidence, mortality, and DALY rates. Gender disparities were evident, with elderly men showing higher rates than women, and greater EAPC values indicating a higher increase in disease burden over time. The highest age-specific rates were found in the 90-94 age group, while the 70-74 age group had the highest DALY burden.

Conclusion: The continuous rise in the incidence of neuroblastoma and peripheral nervous system tumours among the elderly highlights a pressing the necessity for focused public health measures and improved treatment approaches. Addressing the regional, gender, and age-related disparities requires a comprehensive approach that integrates medical advancements, social support, and public health policies. Future research should explore potential risk factors and innovative therapies to mitigate this growing global health challenge.