Connelly Jennifer M, Malkin Mark G
Department of Neurology, Room 2546, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226-3596, USA.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2007 May;7(3):208-14. doi: 10.1007/s11910-007-0032-4.
Primary brain tumors, whether malignant or nonmalignant, have devastating consequences. Unfortunately, few known causes exist. Despite decades of epidemiologic research to identify environmental causes of brain tumors, very little progress has been made. The purpose of this paper is to review the most recent studies in the epidemiology of brain tumors. Popular topics of interest in adult brain tumor epidemiology include electromagnetic fields (particularly cellular phones), occupational exposures, nitroso-containing compounds (especially smoking), hair products, and allergic and immunologic factors. Some of these topics are also applicable to the etiology of childhood brain tumors, but additional areas of interest in the pediatric population focus on parental exposure prior to conception, maternal exposure during pregnancy, and childhood exposure to infectious agents. After an extensive review of the literature since 2001, we present the most relevant studies. Although there are many proposed associations with brain tumors, none possess the statistical significance to confidently ascribe causation. However, new findings and associations, particularly those in allergy and immunology, will present interesting opportunities for further development.
原发性脑肿瘤，无论恶性与否，都会产生毁灭性后果。不幸的是，已知病因寥寥无几。尽管数十年来开展了流行病学研究以确定脑肿瘤的环境病因，但进展甚微。本文旨在综述脑肿瘤流行病学的最新研究。成人大脑肿瘤流行病学中热门的研究主题包括电磁场（尤其是手机）、职业暴露、含亚硝基化合物（特别是吸烟）、美发产品以及过敏和免疫因素。其中一些主题也适用于儿童脑肿瘤的病因研究，但儿科人群中其他感兴趣的领域则聚焦于受孕前父母的暴露、孕期母亲的暴露以及儿童期感染源的暴露。在对2001年以来的文献进行广泛综述之后，我们呈现了最相关的研究。尽管有许多与脑肿瘤相关的假设，但没有一个具有统计学意义来确凿地认定因果关系。然而，新的发现和关联，尤其是过敏和免疫学方面的，将为进一步发展带来有趣的机遇。
