Pooled analysis of Swedish case-control studies during 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 on meningioma risk associated with the use of mobile and cordless phones

Abstract

Abstract.A pooled analysis of two case-control studies on meningioma with patients diagnosed during 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 was conducted. Both genders were included, aged 20-80 and 18-75 years, respectively, at the time of diagnosis. Population-based controls, matched according to age and gender, were enrolled. Exposure was assessed by questionnaire. In the entire study, cases with all brain tumor types were included. The whole reference group was used in the unconditional logistic regression analysis on meningioma, with adjustments for gender, age, year of diagnosis and socioeconomic index (SEI). In total, 1,625 meningioma cases and 3,530 controls were analyzed. Overall no association with use of mobile or cordless phones was found. In the fourth quartile of use (>1,436 h) somewhat increased risk was found for mobile phones yielding an odds ratio (OR)=1.2, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=0.9-1.6 and cordless phones OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.3-2.2. Higher risk was calculated in the highest decile (>3,358 h), OR=1.5, 95% CI=0.99-2.1 and OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.4-2.8, respectively. In addition, the longest latency time gave somewhat increased risk for both phone types although the result was not statistically significant. There was no association for ipsilateral use or anatomical tumor location. The present study showed a somewhat increased risk among heavy users of mobile and cordless phones. Since meningioma is generally a slow-growing tumor, longer latency period is necessary for definitive conclusions.

Increasing Rates of Brain Tumours in the Swedish National Inpatient Register and the Causes of Death Register

“…An even more increasing rate of brain tumours in the future may be predicted based on these data. In contrast the data do not show a statistically significant increase of the rate of meningioma, a tumour type that has no consistent association with use of wireless phones [ 8 , 48 ]. Only ionizing radiation is since before an established risk factor for brain tumours.…”

Mobile phone use and risk for intracranial tumors

“…In meningiomas 8 case control studies were identified (Table 2 ) [ 9 – 11 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 ]. A pooled analysis of two Swedish case-control studies on 1625 meningioma patients and 3530 control patients showed a relative increased risk (OR = 1.2, CI = 0.9–1.6) among heavy users of mobile and cordless phones [ 18 ]. The INTERPHONE study that has been analyzed previously, reported no increased risk of meningioma in individuals that used a mobile phone [ 20 ].…”

Case-Control Study on Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Association with Meningioma

“…Similar methods were used in all of our studies. Detailed information on materials and methods has been published previously [ 8 – 10 ]. In short, 6 administrative regions with oncology centres covering Sweden registered new cancer cases.…”

“…Over the years the evidence has strengthened for an increased risk for these tumor types whereas the results for meningioma are less clear [ 6 – 12 ]. The same research groups as for glioma included also meningioma in their case-control studies with a separate publication on meningioma by Carlberg and Hardell [ 10 ].…”

“…In our case-control studies on brain tumors during 1997–2003 and 2007–2009 [ 10 , 11 ] lifetime occupations were assessed. An ELF-EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF exposure ( μ T).…”