Use of Mobile and Cordless Phones and Survival of Patients with Glioma

Abstract

Background: We analysed the survival of patients after glioma diagnosis in relation to the use of wireless phones. Methods: All cases diagnosed between 1997 and 2003 with a malignant brain tumour (n = 1,251) in our case-control studies were included and followed from the date of diagnosis to the date of death or until May 30, 2012. Results: For glioma, the use of wireless phones (mobile and cordless phones) gave a hazard ratio (HR) = 1.1 (95% confidence interval, CI = 0.9–1.2), with >10-year latency HR = 1.2 (95% CI = 1.002–1.5, p trend = 0.02). For astrocytoma grade I-II (low-grade), the results were, HR = 0.5 (95% CI = 0.3–0.9) and for astrocytoma grade IV (glioblastoma), HR = 1.1 (95% CI = 0.95–1.4), with >10 year latency HR = 1.3 (95% CI = 1.03–1.7). In the highest tertile (>426 h) of cumulative use, HR = 1.2 (95% CI = 0.95–1.5) was found for glioblastoma. The results were similar for mobile and cordless phones. Conclusions: Decreased survival of glioma cases with long-term and high cumulative use of wireless phones was found. A survival disadvantage for astrocytoma grade IV, but a survival benefit for astrocytoma grade I-II was observed which could be due to exposure-related tumour symptoms leading to earlier diagnosis and surgery in that patient group.

Decreased Survival of Glioma Patients with Astrocytoma Grade IV (Glioblastoma Multiforme) Associated with Long-Term Use of Mobile and Cordless Phones

“…The main finding in this enlarged study compared with our previous one [ 14 ] was decreased survival for cases with glioma associated with long-term use of wireless phones based on a larger material including the study period 2007–2009 and with longer follow-up of cases diagnosed 1997–2003. HR increased with latency as in our first publication.…”

“…The results regarding latency for astrocytoma grade IV are similar as in our previous analysis. In that study the longest latency period was >10 years yielding for wireless phone use HR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.03–1.7 [ 14 ]. With longer latency period, >20 years in the present study, HR increased further to 2.1, 95% CI = 1.5–3.0 indicating worse survival for cases with astrocytoma grade IV with increasing latency period for wireless phone use.…”

“…All cases were followed from date of diagnosis based on the histopathology report until 18 December 2013 or if deceased, date of death. We have previously reported survival for patients with glioma in our case-control study for the time period 1997–2003 [ 14 ]. We have now up-dated these results with further follow-up of these cases and furthermore added our study for the time period 2007–2009 [ 13 ].…”

Transition over 35 Years in the Incidence Rates of Primary Central Nervous System Tumors in Shanghai, China and Histological Subtyping Based on a Single Center Experience Spanning 60 Years

“…low frequency electromagnetic fields emitted from mobile phones (Repacholi et al, 2012), bacterial or virus infections (Davis, 2007), and various environmental pollutants (Wrensch et al, 2002). A recent study analyzed the survival of patients after glioma diagnosis in relation to the use of wireless phones and found decreased survival of glioma cases with long-term and high cumulative use of wireless phones (Hardell and Carlberg, 2013). Shanghai was among the first to adopt the use of mobile phones in China (since 1982), and cordless communication has increased rapidly since 1990s and gradually overtaken telephones connected to landlines.…”

The influence of prenatal 10 GHz microwave radiation exposure on a developing mice brain

“…Although, an interaction of RF radiation with biological matter is a biochemical mechanism, which is based on responses, caused by activating secondary chemical messengers, such as ions, radicals or molecules (Belyaev et al 2006). Due to the overproduction of free radicals and deficiency in amount of antioxidants, the balance between free radicals and antioxidants is disrupted in favor of the free radicals, and resulting in oxidative damage (Halliwell and Gutteridge 2000). Oxidative stress may result in severe metabolic dysfunctions, including peroxidation of membrane lipids, depletion of nicotine amide nucleotides, rises in intracellular free Ca 2+ ions, cytoskeleton disruption and the DNA damage.…”