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Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on the use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed during 1997-2003.

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Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K. · 2006

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Long-term cell phone use nearly tripled the risk of acoustic neuroma in this large study, with the highest risk from older analog phones.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Swedish researchers analyzed data from over 3,400 people to examine whether cell phone and cordless phone use increases the risk of benign brain tumors. They found that analog cell phone users had nearly triple the risk of developing acoustic neuroma (a tumor affecting hearing), while digital phones and cordless phones showed more modest increases in risk. The risk was highest among people who had used analog phones for more than 15 years.

Why This Matters

This pooled analysis represents one of the largest studies examining the link between wireless phone use and benign brain tumors, and the findings are particularly significant because they show a clear dose-response relationship. The fact that analog phones showed the highest risk (nearly 3 times higher for acoustic neuroma) makes biological sense, as these older devices operated at higher power levels than today's digital phones. What this means for you: while analog phones are largely obsolete, the study's findings on digital and cordless phones remain relevant. The 50% increased risk for acoustic neuroma from digital phones and cordless phones may seem modest, but acoustic neuromas are serious tumors that can cause hearing loss, balance problems, and require surgical intervention. The research demonstrates that even benign brain tumors warrant concern when it comes to wireless radiation exposure, especially given how much more we use these devices today compared to the study period of 1997-2003.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on the use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed during 1997-2003.

We present the results of a pooled analysis of two case-control studies on benign brain tumours diag...

For acoustic neuroma, the use of analogue cellular phones gave an odds ratio (OR) of 2.9 and a 95% c...

In the multivariate analysis, a significantly increased risk of acoustic neuroma was found with the use of analogue phones.

Cite This Study
Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K. (2006). Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on the use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed during 1997-2003. Int J Oncol. 28(2):509-518, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2006_pooled_analysis_of_two_2170,
  author = {Hardell L and Carlberg M and Hansson Mild K.},
  title = {Pooled analysis of two case-control studies on the use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed during 1997-2003.},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16391807/},
}
PubMed: 16391807

Cited By (158 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Swedish research found cordless phones increase acoustic neuroma risk by 50% (odds ratio 1.5). This benign brain tumor affects hearing and balance. The study analyzed over 3,400 people and found the risk was consistent across different phone technologies, though lower than analog cell phones.
Yes, analog cell phones nearly triple acoustic neuroma risk (odds ratio 2.9) compared to digital phones which increase risk by 50% (odds ratio 1.5). Swedish researchers found analog phones posed the highest risk, especially after 15+ years of use.
After 15+ years of analog cell phone use, acoustic neuroma risk increases nearly 4-fold (odds ratio 3.8). This Swedish study of over 3,400 people found the longest exposure periods posed the greatest risk for this hearing-related brain tumor.
Phone use showed minimal impact on meningioma risk in this Swedish study. Analog phones increased risk by 30%, while digital and cordless phones showed only 10% increases. These results were not statistically significant, unlike the clear acoustic neuroma findings.
Analog cell phones posed the highest brain tumor risk, nearly tripling acoustic neuroma risk (odds ratio 2.9). Digital cell phones and cordless phones both increased risk by 50%. The Swedish researchers analyzed data from 1997-2003 across over 3,400 participants.