Incidence of vestibular schwannomas in the United States

There is a paucity of population-based data evaluating the incidence of vestibular schwannomas according to age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Such data are necessary to assess the burden of vestibular schwannomas on varying populations and to inform future research and healthcare planning. The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, which contains the largest aggregation of population-based data on the incidence of primary central nervous system tumors in the US, was used. Age-adjusted incidence rates and incidence rate ratios (IRR) of vestibular schwannomas from 2004 to 2010 were calculated by age at diagnosis, gender, race, and ethnicity. Annual percent change (APC) was calculated using Joinpoint to characterize temporal trends. From 2004 to 2010, there were 23,729 newly diagnosed vestibular schwannomas in the US; overall incidence was 1.09 per 100,000 population. Incidence was stable over time (APC −0.41 %, 95 % confidence interval −3.4, 2.7). Incidence increased with age to a peak of 2.93 per 100,000 in the 65–74 year old age group. Overall, there was no difference in incidence by gender. Compared to Whites, incidence was highest in Asian Pacific Islanders (IRR 1.37, p < 0.001) and lowest in African Americans (IRR 0.36, p < 0.001). Incidence was lower in Hispanics than non-Hispanics (IRR 0.69, p < 0.001). Over 3300 vestibular schwannomas are diagnosed per year in the US and incidence is 1.09 per 100,000 population. Incidence increases with age up to the 65–74 year old age group. Incidence is higher in Asian Pacific Islanders and lower in African Americans and Hispanics.