Brain and spinal cord cancer statistics

Last medical review:

To provide the most current cancer statistics, statistical methods are used to estimate the number of new cancer cases and deaths until actual data become available.

Incidence and mortality

Incidence is the total number of new cases of cancer. Mortality is the number of deaths due to cancer.

Cancer statistics are currently collected, analyzed and reported based on the sex assigned at birth, with male/men and female/women categories. We need to address gaps in how statistics are collected to better understand cancer in transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people.

It is estimated that in 2024:

  • 3,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with brain and spinal cord cancer.
  • 2,600 Canadians will die from brain and spinal cord cancer.
  • 1,850 men will be diagnosed with brain and spinal cord cancer and 1,500 will die from it.
  • 1,400 women will be diagnosed with brain and spinal cord cancer and 1,100 will die from it.

For more information about cancer statistics, go to Canadian Cancer Statistics.

Expert review and references

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2024 Canadian Cancer Society