Differences in Tumor Size, Clinical, Demographic, and Socioeconomic Profiles of Central Nervous System Tumors Amongst a Racially Diverse Cohort: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Introduction: One avenue to improve outcomes amongst brain tumor patients involves the mitigation of healthcare disparities. By investigating clinical differences amongst brain tumors, across socioeconomic and demographic strata, such can aid in healthcare disparity identification and by extension outcome improvement.

Methods: Utilizing a racially diverse population from Hawaii, 323 cases of brain tumors (meningiomas, gliomas, schwannomas, pituitary adenomas, and metastases) were matched by age, sex, and race to 651 controls, to investigate the associations between tumor type and various demographic, socioeconomic, and medical comorbidities. Tumor size at time of diagnosis was also compared across demographic groups.

Results: At time of diagnosis for benign meningiomas, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI; p < 0.05), Asians, and Hispanics exhibited nearly two-fold larger tumor volumes than Whites. For gliomas, NHPI similarly presented with larger tumor volumes relative to Whites (p = 0.04) and Asians (p = 0.02), while for vestibular schwannomas, NHPI had large tumor sizes compared to Asians (p < 0.05). Benign meningiomas demonstrated greater odds of diagnosis (p < 0.05) amongst Native American or Alaskan Natives, patients comorbid with obesity class I, hypertension, or with a positive Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C). Malignant meningiomas demonstrated greater odds (p < 0.05) amongst patients from higher median household income and urban geography. Gliomas overall exhibited increased odds (p < 0.05) of diagnosis amongst Whites and reduced odds amongst Asians, with greater comorbidity with obesity class III; for glioblastoma specifically, there were reduced odds of asthma diagnosis. Patients with vestibular schwannomas were at increased odds (p < 0.05) of being from the highest income quartile and having a positive AUDIT-C, yet reduced odds of psychiatric disorders. Pituitary adenomas exhibited reduced odds amongst Whites, yet greater odds amongst NHPI, military personnel, obesity class I, and psychiatric disorders. Intracranial metastases were more common in patients with pre-obesity, asthma, a positive AUDIT-C, and living in more affluent regions.

Conclusion : Brain tumors exhibit unique sociodemographic disparities and clinical comorbidities, which may have implications for diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare policy.