EPID-22RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CELL PHONE USAGE AND INCIDENCE OF BRAIN TUMORS, A META ANALYSIS

Abstract

EPID-22. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CELL PHONE USAGE AND INCIDENCE OF BRAIN TUMORS, A META ANALYSIS Sumul Raval1,2, Lauren Chung1, Laya Manoj1, and Ruchi Raval1; Garden StateNeurologyN David S. Zocchi Brain Tumor Center at MMC, Long Branch, NJ, USA Throughout the past decades, there has been growing concern about society’s increasing dependence on technology, especially regarding cell phone usage and brain tumors. Despite the numerous case studies and meta-analyses published, the contradicting conclusions on the topic have led to insufficient scientific data to support or refute this claim. Since cell phones are so widespread, even a small increase in risk of brain tumors could have large adverse effects on public health. This meta-analysis will examine these studies to determine a possible conclusion. All studies were obtained from PubMed, published from 2001 to 2013, included unadjusted odds ratios, and investigated the relationship between subjects’ incidences of brain tumors and their cell phone usage. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each brain tumor subtype, laterality of tumor location, and each individual study. A pooled OR was found using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software. After careful consideration, 19 case studies were chosen to be in this meta-analysis. In total, this included 84,226 patients, 61,845 controls, and 15 countries. The calculated ORs for brain tumors were as follows: Ipsilateral: 1.022 (0.910-1.149), Contralateral: 0.875 (0.759-1.01), No applicable side (eg. central tumor): 0.728 (0.407-1.302), Low-grade glioma: 1.133 (0.96-1.401), High-grade glioma: 0.804 (0.668-0.966), Other/mixed glioma: 0.907 (0.837-0.983), Meningioma: 0.816 (0.772-0.863), Acoustic neuroma: 0.963 (0.857-1.082), All tumors: 1.309 (1.100-1.559). Ultimately, the pooled OR was found to be 0.963 (0.904 1.027). This meta-analysis confirms no relationship between use of handheld cellular telephones and increased risk of brain tumor occurrence. However, the effects of persisting exposure on subjects’ health warrants further evaluation in prospective long-term epidemiological studies. Neuro-Oncology 17:v78–v85, 2015. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nov213.22 Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology 2015.