Inequalities in Meningioma Survival: Results from the National Cancer Database

Abstract

Background Meningiomas are the second most common primary tumors of the central nervous system. However, there is a paucity of literature examining how healthcare, demographic, and socioeconomic factors impact patient outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 65,812 patients from the National Cancer Database (NCDB; 2004-2012) who received treatment for their meningioma. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with the overall five-year survival as the primary outcome, and the following factors: facility type, geography, housing area, patient insurance, sex, ethnicity, race, income, and education. The multivariate model was adjusted for patient age, co-morbidity, tumor size, behavior, and treatment strategy. Results Diagnosis and treatment at an academic/research program, private insurance, female sex, Hispanic ethnicity, and high school diploma conferred a survival advantage on both univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions Disparities in survival outcomes in patients with meningiomas exist across multiple healthcare, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. Additional research is needed to elucidate the genetic and environmental factors driving these inequalities.