Mobile phones, cordless phones and rates of brain tumors in different age groups in the Swedish National Inpatient Register and the Swedish Cancer Register during 1998-2015

Abstract

We used the Swedish Inpatient Register (IPR) to analyze rates of brain tumors of unknown type (D43) during 1998–2015. Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) per 100,000 increased with +2.06%, 95% confidence interval (CI) +1.27, +2.86% in both genders combined. A joinpoint was found in 2007 with Annual Percentage Change (APC) 1998–2007 of +0.16%, 95% CI -0.94, +1.28%, and 2007–2015 of +4.24%, 95% CI +2.87, +5.63%. Highest AAPC was found in the age group 20–39 years. In the Swedish Cancer Register the age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 increased for brain tumors, ICD-code 193.0, during 1998–2015 with AAPC in men +0.49%, 95% CI +0.05, +0.94%, and in women +0.33%, 95% CI -0.29, +0.45%. The cases with brain tumor of unknown type lack morphological examination. Brain tumor diagnosis was based on cytology/histopathology in 83% for men and in 87% for women in 1980. This frequency increased to 90% in men and 88% in women in 2015. During the same time period CT and MRI imaging techniques were introduced and morphology is not always necessary for diagnosis. If all brain tumors based on clinical diagnosis with CT or MRI had been reported to the Cancer Register the frequency of diagnoses based on cytology/histology would have decreased in the register. The results indicate underreporting of brain tumor cases to the Cancer Register. The real incidence would be higher. Thus, incidence trends based on the Cancer Register should be used with caution. Use of wireless phones should be considered in relation to the change of incidence rates.

Trends and patterns of incidence of diffuse glioma in adults in the United States, 1973‐2014

“…The rapid expansion of cellular phone use has brought concern regarding influence over glioma, with some evidence suggesting significant association between cellular phone use, particularly long-term user (≥10 years) and user with first use at early age, and risk of low-grade glioma. 37,38 However, other studies have shown no significant relationship or even an inverse F I G U R E 3 Age-period-cohort modeling parameters and functions for incidence for glioblastoma (left) and nonglioblastoma (right).…”

“…However, this study could not ascertain the contributing role of radiation exposure to the rising incidence of glioblastoma due to the limitation of study design. The rapid expansion of cellular phone use has brought concern regarding influence over glioma, with some evidence suggesting significant association between cellular phone use, particularly long‐term user (≥10 years) and user with first use at early age, and risk of low‐grade glioma . However, other studies have shown no significant relationship or even an inverse relationship between cellular phone use and incidence trends of glioma .…”

Effect of cell‐phone radiofrequency on angiogenesis and cell invasion in human head and neck cancer cells

“…[21][22][23] Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that this investigation is the first one regarding the outcome of cell-phone radiofrequency on head and neck cancer "invasion and progression. Finally, we are able to show that angiogenesis, cell invasion, and colony formation stimulation induced by cell-phone radiofrequency could occur via the Erk1/Erk2 signaling pathway.…”

“…However, we believe more studies, including in vitro, in vivo, as well as epidemiological investigations, are necessary to confirm the outcome of cell-phone use on human health, especially the initiation of brain as well as head tumors, because there is still some controversy regarding this important topic. [21][22][23] Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that this investigation is the first one regarding the outcome of cell-phone radiofrequency on head and neck cancer "invasion and progression. "…”

Commentary: Geographic Variations in the Incidence of Glioblastoma and Prognostic Factors Predictive of Overall Survival in US Adults from 2004–2013

“…AAPS increased especially in the age group 20–39 years at diagnosis. This may be explained by higher risk for brain tumor in subjects with first use of a wireless phone before the age of 20 years taking a reasonable latency period ” (Hardell and Carlberg, 2017 ). Moreover, a meta-analysis of 24 studies (26,846 cases, 50,013 controls) also supported this hypothesis that long-term use of mobile phones can be associated with increased risk of intracranial tumors (Bortkiewicz et al, 2017 ).…”