Head and Neck Tumors

Update 11/2/19

Scientific Literature

Radiofrequency and Head and Neck Gland Cancer and Dysfunction 

• Parotid Gland
• Thyroid Gland
• Vestibular Neuroma (Acoustic Neuroma)

 

Parotid Gland Tumors

The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland and located in front of each ear. The salivary secretions consist of water, electrolytes, mucus and enzymes which help to pre-digest food (alpha amylase), provide moisture in the mouth for chewing and prevent tooth decay.  Parotid tumors are rare and about 25% of parotid tumors are malignant.

Published Research

• Does cell phone use increase the chances of parotid gland tumor development? A systematic review and meta-analysis. (2017) de Siqueira EC et al. J Oral Pathol Med. 2017 Aug;46(7):480-483. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27935126
• Mobile Phone Use and the Risk of Parotid Gland Tumors: A Retrospective Case-Control Study. (2016)  Al-Qahtani K. Gulf J Oncolog. 2016 Jan;1(20):71-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27050182
• Histological and histochemical study of the protective role of rosemary extract against harmful effect of cell phone electromagnetic radiation on the parotid glands. (2016) Ghoneim FM. Acta Histochemica, 118(5):478-485. June 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27155802
• Mobile phone radiation and the risk of cancer; a review. (2008) Abdus-salam A et al.   Afr J Med Med Sci.  2008 Jun;37(2):107-18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18939393
• Cellular phone use and risk of benign and malignant parotid gland tumors–a nationwide case-control study. (2008)  Sadetzki S et al. Am J Epidemiol.2008 Feb 15;167(4):457-67. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18063591
• Mobile phone use and risk of parotid gland tumor. (2006)  Lonn S et al. Am J Epidemiol.   2006 Oct 1;164(7):637-43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16818464
• No association between the use of cellular or cordless telephones and salivary gland tumours. (2004) Hardell L et al. Occup Environ Med. 2004 Aug;61(8):675-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15258273

 

Parotid Gland Dysfunction and Cell Phones- Published Research

• Effect of Cell Phone Radiations on Orofacial Structures: A Systematic Review. (2017) Mishra SK. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 May;11(5):ZE01-ZE05. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28658925
• Cell phone use is associated with an inflammatory cytokine profile of parotid gland saliva. (2016) Siqueira EC et al. J Oral Pathol Med.  2016 Oct;45(9):682-686. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26876491
• Effect of electromagnetic radiations from mobile phone base stations on general health and salivary function. (2016) Singh K et al. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent.  2016 Jan-Feb;6(1):54-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27011934
• Effect of cell phone use on salivary total protein, enzymes and oxidative stress markers in young adults: a pilot study. (2015) J Clin Diagn Res.  2015 Feb;9(2):BC19-22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25859446
• Evaluation of selected biochemical parameters in the saliva of young males using mobile phones. (2015) Abu Khadra KM. Electromagn Biol Med. 2015 Mar;34(1):72-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24499288
• Effect of mobile phone radiations on oral health. (2015) Dagli R and Hans R. J Int Oral Health. 2015 Jan;7(1):i-ii. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25709374
• Cell phone use and parotid salivary gland alterations: no molecular evidence. (2014) de Souza FT et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 Jul;23(7):1428-31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24753545
• Effect of mobile phone use on salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein of the parotid gland. (2014) Hashemipour MS et al.  J Laryngol Otol. 2014 May;128(5):454-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24739140
• Is human saliva an indicator of the adverse health effects of using mobile phones?  (2013). Hamzany Y et al. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2013 Feb 20;18(6):622-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22894683
• Effect of handheld mobile phone use on parotid gland salivary flow rate and volume. (2012) Bhargava S et al.  Oral Surgery Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol.  2012 Aug;114(2):200-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22769405

Thyroid Gland Tumors

The thyroid gland is a paired endocrine organ located at the base of the neck below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones which affects functioning of all organs of the body. Normal metabolism as well as normal fetal development (especially the brain) is dependent on normal thyroid levels.  Thyroid function is discussed here.

The American Thyroid Association in 2017 discussed the worldwide increase in thyroid cancer . They state, “The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased dramatically during the past three decades and it is now the fastest growing cancer in women. Almost all of this increase is in papillary thyroid cancer. The reason for this is unclear, although many point to the increase in imaging studies of the neck where small thyroid nodules are discovered before they become apparent on physical exam. This has led to some investigators stating that thyroid cancer is being over diagnosed, meaning that many of the small thyroid cancers being found would never progress to the stage where survival ort health would be affected. However, there are many factors in the environment that may also cause an increase in thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer, including the release of radiation from nuclear reactor accidents.”

Published Research

• The possible global hazard of cell phone radiation on thyroid cells and hormones: a systematic review of evidences. (2019) ASL JF et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2019 Jun;26(18):18017-18031. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31062236
• The Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation due to Mobile Phone Use on Thyroid Function in Medical Students Studying in a Medical College in South India.  (2017) Baby NM et al. Indian J Endocrinol Metab.  2017 Nov-Dec; 21(6): 797–802. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5729662/
• Alterations in TSH and Thyroid Hormones following Mobile Phone Use. (2009) Mortavazi S. et al. Oman Med J. 2009 Oct;24(4):274-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22216380
• Effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic field on TSH and thyroid hormones in rats. (2005) Toxicol Lett. 2005 Jul 4;157(3):257-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15917150

 

Thyroid Gland Dysfunction and Cell Phones

• The possible global hazard of cell phone radiation on thyroid cells and hormones: a systematic review of evidences. (2019) Asi JF et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int.2019 Jun;26(18):18017-18031. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31062236
• Modulation of wireless (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative toxicity in laryngotracheal mucosa of rat by melatonin. ( 2013)  Aynali G et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;270(5):1695–700. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23479077

 

Other Relevant Articles on Thyroid Dysfunction

• Contaminant and Environmental Influences on Thyroid Hormone Action in Amphibian Metamorphosis. (2019) Thambirajah A et al. Frontiers in Endocrinology. Review May 14, 2019.  https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6dda/b12f6bc70837d5c84991bddd82aa06937363.pdf

Vestibular Nerve Tumors (Acoustic Neuromas)

An acoustic neuroma (also known as vestibular Schwannoma) is a slow growing benign tumor of Schwann nerve cells located in the inner ear on the vestibular nerve (See #20 on the diagram). The Vestibular nerve transmits sensory information on hearing and balance to the brain. With slow tumor growth the nerve is gradually compressed and causes increased symptoms of hearing loss (usually just on the affected side), ringing in the ear, loss of balance and facial numbness.

As the facial nerve which controls facial motion is located nearby, facial weakness can occur as well, but it is very rare. About 1 in 100,000 people per year develop an acoustic neuroma.

Published Research

• Use of mobile phones and cordless phones is associated with increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma. (2013)  Hardell et al. Pathophysiology.  2013 Apr;20(2):85-110. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23261330
• Cell phone use and acoustic neuroma: the need for standardized questionnaires and access to industry data. (2009) Han YY et al.  Surg Neurol. 2009 Sep;72(3):216-22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19328527
• Mobile telephones and cancer–a review of epidemiological evidence. (2004) Kundi et al . J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2004 Sep-Oct;7(5):351-84. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15371240

 

Hearing and Tinnitus Effects of Cell Phones and RFR

• Effects of exposure to 2100MHz GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic field on auditory system of rats. (2017) Çeliker M et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2017 Nov – Dec;83(6):691-696. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27865708
• Tinnitus and cell phones: the role of electromagnetic radiofrequency radiation. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology.Medeiros LN, Sanchez TG. 82(1):97-104.January–February 2016. Open Access:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1808869415001639
• Effects of chronic exposure to electromagnetic waves on the auditory system. (2015) Ozgur A et al. Acta Otolaryngol. 2015 Aug;135(8):765-70. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25836770
• Audiologic disturbances in long-term mobile phone users. (2010) Panda NK et al. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Feb;39(1):5-11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20122338
• [Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular phone on auditory and vestibular labyrinth]. (2007) Sievert U. et al. Laryngorhinootologie. 2007 Apr;86(4):264-70. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17163379
• Do mobile ‘phones have a detrimental impact on auditory function? (2006) Khalil Sand Nunez DA. J Laryngol Otol. 2006 Oct;120(10):822-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16700958
• Effects of intensive and moderate cellular phone use on hearing function. (2006)Oktay MF and Dasdag S .Electromagn Biol Med. 2006;25(1):13-21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16595330
• The effect of mobile phone to audiologic system. (2005) J Med Assoc Thai. 2005 Sep;88 Suppl 4:S231-4. Kerekhanjanarong V et al. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16623034
• Can mobile phone emissions affect auditory functions of cochlea or brain stem? (2005) Sievert U et al. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005 Mar;132(3):451-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15746860
• Thirty minutes mobile phone use has no short-term adverse effects on central auditory pathways. (2003) Arai N et al. Clin Neurophysiol. 2003 Aug;114(8):1390-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12888020