BACKGROUND: This study aims to elucidate and predict the global disease burden and trends associated with central nervous system (CNS) tumors and cancers among older patients. METHODS: Data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database were used to calculate the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), prevalence rate (ASPR), death rate (ASDR), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) to assess burden and trends from 1990 to 2021. A Bayesian age-period-cohort model was applied to project the global burden of CNS tumors and cancers in older patients over the next 30 years. RESULTS: The ASIR among older adults worldwide increased by 3.59 cases per 100,000 population from 1990 to 2021, with an AAPC of 0.86%. The ASPR rose by 9.83 cases per 100,000 people, with an AAPC of 1.57%. The ASDR increased from 10.99 per 100,000 people to 13.01 per 100,000 people. DALYs also rose continuously from 234.21 per 10,000 population to 265.1, with an AAPC of 0.4%. It is anticipated that from 2021 to 2051, the ASIR, ASDR, and age-standardized DALYs will exhibit a declining pattern
however, the ASPR will initially experience a slight decrease before gradually rising again. CONCLUSIONS: The global burden has significantly increased from 1990 to 2021. Projections indicate that over the next 30 years, the total number of patients will rise, while the age-standardized rates will show a slow downward trend.