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

Surg Neurol · 2009 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2433

This meta-analysis of 11 long-term epidemiologic studies reports that cell phone use for >=10 years is associated with approximately doubled risk of an ipsilateral brain tumor (tumor on the same side of the head as preferred phone use). The association is sta…

Study snapshot

PublicationSurg Neurol · 2009
Study typemeta_analysis
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

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 > or = 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 > or = 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.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typemeta_analysis
Effect directionmixed
PopulationNot supplied
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · >=10 years
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This meta-analysis of 11 long-term epidemiologic studies reports that cell phone use for >=10 years is associated with approximately doubled risk of an ipsilateral brain tumor (tumor on the same side of the head as preferred phone use). The association is statistically significant for glioma and acoustic neuroma, but not for meningioma.

Outcomes measured

  • brain tumor
  • glioma
  • acoustic neuroma
  • meningioma

Limitations

  • Frequency, SAR, and other exposure metrics are not reported in the abstract.
  • Population characteristics and total sample size are not provided in the abstract.
  • Findings are specific to long-term users (>=10 years) and include a laterality (ipsilateral) analysis; generalizability beyond these criteria is unclear from the abstract.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "meta_analysis",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": ">=10 years"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "brain tumor",
    "glioma",
    "acoustic neuroma",
    "meningioma"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This meta-analysis of 11 long-term epidemiologic studies reports that cell phone use for >=10 years is associated with approximately doubled risk of an ipsilateral brain tumor (tumor on the same side of the head as preferred phone use). The association is statistically significant for glioma and acoustic neuroma, but not for meningioma.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency, SAR, and other exposure metrics are not reported in the abstract.",
    "Population characteristics and total sample size are not provided in the abstract.",
    "Findings are specific to long-term users (>=10 years) and include a laterality (ipsilateral) analysis; generalizability beyond these criteria is unclear from the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "cell phone",
    "mobile phone",
    "radiofrequency",
    "electromagnetic radiation",
    "brain tumor",
    "glioma",
    "acoustic neuroma",
    "meningioma",
    "laterality",
    "ipsilateral",
    "latency",
    "epidemiology",
    "meta-analysis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-brain-tumors",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Meta-analysis of long-term mobile phone use and brain tumor risk with laterality analysis."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.surneu.2009.01.019
PubMed: 19328536

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