Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States

The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to collecting and disseminating statistical data on all primary benign and malignant brain tumors. Such data collection is for the purposes of accurately describing incidence rates and survival patterns, evaluating diagnosis and treatment, facilitating studies concerning causes (etiology), promoting professional and public awareness, and, ultimately, working toward the possible prevention of such brain tumors. CBTRUS was incorporated in 1992 following a two-year study by the American Brain Tumor Association to determine the feasibility of a central registry for all brain tumor cases. Previously, standard data collection in the United States had been limited to malignant brain tumor cases. The CBTRUS database summarizes collaborators’ data and generates statistics that are published in the form of an annual report. The annual report is mailed free of charge to over 2,000 members of the neuroscience community as well as to affected individuals, family members, and businesses upon request. In addition to data collection and dissemination, CBTRUS is dedicated to conducting special studies aimed at broadening the scope of data concerning the incidence and prevalence of brain tumors in certain populations. CBTRUS also encourages and promotes interdisciplinary dialogue with other professional and volunteer organizations.