Elsevier

Surgical Neurology

Volume 72, Issue 3, September 2009, Pages 205-214
Surgical Neurology

Neoplasm
Cell phones and brain tumors: a review including the long-term epidemiologic data

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surneu.2009.01.019Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

The debate regarding the health effects of low-intensity electromagnetic radiation from sources such as power lines, base stations, and cell phones has recently been reignited. In the present review, the authors attempt to address the following question: is there epidemiologic evidence for an association between long-term cell phone usage and the risk of developing a brain tumor? Included with this meta-analysis of the long-term epidemiologic data are a brief overview of cell phone technology and discussion of laboratory data, biological mechanisms, and brain tumor incidence.

Methods

In order to be included in the present meta-analysis, studies were required to have met all of the following criteria: (i) publication in a peer-reviewed journal; (ii) inclusion of participants using cell phones for ≥10 years (ie, minimum 10-year “latency”); and (iii) incorporation of a “laterality” analysis of long-term users (ie, analysis of the side of the brain tumor relative to the side of the head preferred for cell phone usage). This is a meta-analysis incorporating all 11 long-term epidemiologic studies in this field.

Results

The results indicate that using a cell phone for ≥10 years approximately doubles the risk of being diagnosed with a brain tumor on the same (“ipsilateral”) side of the head as that preferred for cell phone use. The data achieve statistical significance for glioma and acoustic neuroma but not for meningioma.

Conclusion

The authors conclude that there is adequate epidemiologic evidence to suggest a link between prolonged cell phone usage and the development of an ipsilateral brain tumor.

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.

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