Pooled analysis of case-control studies on acoustic neuroma diagnosed 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 and use of mobile and cordless phones

Abstract

We previously conducted a case-control study of acoustic neuroma. Subjects of both genders aged 20–80 years, diagnosed during 1997–2003 in parts of Sweden, were included, and the results were published. We have since made a further study for the time period 2007–2009 including both men and women aged 18–75 years selected from throughout the country. These new results for acoustic neuroma have not been published to date. Similar methods were used for both study periods. In each, one population-based control, matched on gender and age (within five years), was identified from the Swedish Population Registry. Exposures were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire supplemented by a phone interview. Since the number of acoustic neuroma cases in the new study was low we now present pooled results from both study periods based on 316 participating cases and 3,530 controls. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, gender, year of diagnosis and socio-economic index (SEI). Use of mobile phones of the analogue type gave odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0–4.3, increasing with >20 years latency (time since first exposure) to OR = 7.7, 95% CI = 2.8–21. Digital 2G mobile phone use gave OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.1, increasing with latency >15 years to an OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.8–4.2. The results for cordless phone use were OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.1, and, for latency of >20 years, OR = 6.5, 95% CI = 1.7–26. Digital type wireless phones (2G and 3G mobile phones and cordless phones) gave OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.0 increasing to OR = 8.1, 95% CI = 2.0–32 with latency >20 years. For total wireless phone use, the highest risk was calculated for the longest latency time >20 years: OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 2.2–9.0. Several of the calculations in the long latency category were based on low numbers of exposed cases. Ipsilateral use resulted in a higher risk than contralateral for both mobile and cordless phones. OR increased per 100 h cumulative use and per year of latency for mobile phones and cordless phones, though the increase was not statistically significant for cordless phones. The percentage tumour volume increased per year of latency and per 100 h of cumulative use, statistically significant for analogue phones. This study confirmed previous results demonstrating an association between mobile and cordless phone use and acoustic neuroma.

Mobile phone radiation causes brain tumors and should be classified as a probable human carcinogen (2A) (Review)

“…Since then, a number of studies have been published of experimental results showing that radiofrequency fields affect cellular repair and increase biomarkers associated with cancer risk. in our view these results and several epidemiology studies (8,21) are consistent with what is expected if radiofrequency fields from mobile phone use are a cause of brain cancer: the higher the cumulative hours of use, the higher the risk; the longer the time since first use, the higher the risk; the higher the radiated power, the higher the risk; ipsilateral risk is higher than contralateral risk.…”

“…Of particular interest are studies from Sweden and Korea. In the Korean study, significant increases for acoustic neuroma occurred with >2,000 cumulative hours of use when compared to less (7), and in the Swedish study for >2,300 h of cumulative use (8). In three studies, increased risks for meningioma were also found at the highest cumulative hours of use (5,6,9).…”

“…Neither in INTERPHONE nor in cerenat were these exposures evaluated. However Hardell et al (8,12) reported risks of brain tumors from these devices similar to those from mobile phones. While in the CERENAT study RF-EMF exposures from other sources were listed as a potential confounder, questions were not asked about DECT use.…”

“…At the highest years of use there were significant risks for glioma (5,10), brain cancer (8) and acoustic neuroma (11,12). for studies with greater years of use, acoustic neuroma tumor volume increased compared to less years of use (7,12 (6).…”

“…for studies with greater years of use, acoustic neuroma tumor volume increased compared to less years of use (7,12 (6). Potential confounders considered were the level of education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and occupational exposures to pesticides, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), and ionizing radiation.…”