Acoustic neuroma risk factors

Overview
Acoustic neuromas are more common in adults, and rarely occur in children. The causes of acoustic neuromas are largely unknown. Relatively few studies have addressed this specific tumor type, as acoustic neuromas are seldom analyzed separately in risk factor analyses and are more often grouped under the general heading of brain tumors. Ionizing radiation exposure is the only well-established exogenous risk factor for acoustic neuroma and has been confirmed in studies of radiation treatments and dental X-rays. Individuals who underwent radiation treatment of tinea capitis during childhood were found to develop an excess of benign and malignant brain tumors of various histological types, including acoustic neuromas In addition, a study of atomic bomb survivors found that the intracranial tumor subtype most strongly related to ionizing radiation exposure was acoustic neuroma. A statistically significant dose-related excess of nervous system tumors, including schwannomas was observed in the cohort of atomic bomb survivors. The excess relative risk per sievert (Sv) of absorbed dose for schwannomas was 4.5 (95 percent confidence interval: 1.9, 9.2) and the dose-response relationship was linear. Exposure to even moderate doses (i.e. <1 Sv) of radiation was associated with an elevated incidence of nervous system tumors, including Schwannomas. The association between the non-ionizing radiation from cellular telephones and the risk of acoustic neuroma has been examined in several studies. However, the evidence of an association so far is limited. Elevated risk of acoustic neuromas has been associated with specific occupations such as truck drivers, gas station attendants, sales representatives, and teachers. However, it remains unclear what specific environmental exposure within those occupations is responsible for the increased risk. Exposure to loud noise has been suggested as a potential risk factor for acoustic neuromas in two studies