Medical exposure to ionising radiation and the risk of brain tumours: Interphone study group, Germany.
BACKGROUND
The role of exposure to low doses of ionising radiation in the aetiology of brain tumours has yet to be clarified. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between medically or occupationally related exposure to ionising radiation and brain tumours.


METHODS
We used self-reported medical and occupational data collected during the German part of a multinational case-control study on mobile phone use and the risk of brain tumours (Interphone study) for the analyses.


RESULTS
For any exposure to medical ionising radiation we found odds ratios (ORs) of 0.63 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.48-0.83), 1.08 (95% CI=0.80-1.45) and 0.97 (95% CI=0.54-1.75) for glioma, meningioma and acoustic neuroma, respectively. Elevated ORs were found for meningioma (OR 2.32, 95% CI: 0.90-5.96) and acoustic neuroma (OR 6.45, 95% CI: 0.62-67.16) for radiotherapy to the head and neck regions.


CONCLUSIONS
We did not find any significant increased risk of brain tumours for exposure to medical ionising radiation.
Blettner
Maria
M
Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 69, 55131 Mainz, Germany. blettner@imbei.uni-mainz.de
Schlehofer
Brigitte
B
Samkange-Zeeb
Florence
F
Berg
Gabriele
G
Schlaefer
Klaus
K
Schüz
Joachim
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D040421:Cell Phone; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D012307:Risk Factors