NeoplasmCell phones and brain tumors: a review including the long-term epidemiologic data☆
Section snippets
Cell phone technology
Cell phone technology incorporates base stations, namely, transmission tower antennae, and cell phone hand-held units. Cell phone networks were first deployed in Sweden in 1981 via the Nordic Mobile Telephone System (analogue; 450 MHz; first generation or “1G”). The digital system (GSM) started in 1991, representing the second generation of cell phone systems, or “2G.” Mass deployment was present in most countries from the mid 1990s (Fig. 1). The latest system currently in mass deployment is
Long-term epidemiologic data
There are currently over 3 billion cell phone users globally, with developed nations already approaching the saturation point (Fig. 2). Users starting as young as 3 years of age are expected to be exposed to near-field cell phone EMR for their entire lifetimes. There has been much controversy regarding health risks associated with cell phones, with confusion partly arising from the relatively short length of participant follow-up in most of the published epidemiologic studies. In studies
Laboratory data
Science Magazine has recently acknowledged that there are several peer-reviewed studies from laboratories in at least 7 countries including the United States, showing that cell phone or similar low-intensity EMF can (contrary to expectations of non-ionizing sources) break DNA or modulate it structurally [27]. Although the literature is inconsistent in terms of experimental reproducibility [33], [39], [50], [53], [60], [62], [68], many independent laboratory investigations have suggested adverse
Clinical implications
Taken together, the long-term epidemiologic data suggest an increased risk of being diagnosed with an ipsilateral brain tumor related to cell phone usage of 10 years or more. The data achieve statistical significance for glioma and acoustic neuroma, but not for meningioma. The authors wish to reiterate that the current long-term epidemiologic data are consistent in determining an increased risk of brain tumors associated with ipsilateral long-term cell phone usage. That is, findings of the
Conclusion
The authors believe that the aforementioned epidemiologic and laboratory findings underscore the need for reassessment by governments worldwide of cell phone and also mast radiation exposure standards and the usage and deployment of this technology. If the epidemiologic data continue to be confirmed, then in the absence of appropriate and timely intervention and given the increasing global dependence on cell phone technology especially among the young generation, it is likely that neurosurgeons
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There is no author conflict of interest, and no funding was requested or received for this review. The conclusions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the authors' affiliated institutions and employers.