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Dental X-rays linked to brain tumors: US study
AFPAFP ? 17 hours ago
People who get regular dental X-rays are more likely to suffer a common type of brain tumor, US researchers said on Tuesday, suggesting that yearly exams may not be best for most patients.
The study in the US journal Cancer showed people diagnosed with meningioma who reported having a yearly bitewing exam were 1.4 times to 1.9 times as likely as a healthy control group to have developed such tumors.
A bitewing exam involves an X-ray film being held in place by a tab between the teeth.
Also, people who reported getting a yearly panorex exam -- in which an X-ray is taken outside the mouth and shows all the teeth on one film -- were 2.7 to three times more likely to develop cancer, said the study...
AFPAFP ? 17 hours ago
People who get regular dental X-rays are more likely to suffer a common type of brain tumor, US researchers said on Tuesday, suggesting that yearly exams may not be best for most patients.
The study in the US journal Cancer showed people diagnosed with meningioma who reported having a yearly bitewing exam were 1.4 times to 1.9 times as likely as a healthy control group to have developed such tumors.
A bitewing exam involves an X-ray film being held in place by a tab between the teeth.
Also, people who reported getting a yearly panorex exam -- in which an X-ray is taken outside the mouth and shows all the teeth on one film -- were 2.7 to three times more likely to develop cancer, said the study...
Dental X-Rays Linked to Increased Brain Tumor Risk
LiveScience.comBy Joseph Castro | LiveScience.com ? 15 hours ago
[snip]
Dr. Keith Black, a neurosurgeon at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California who was not involved in the research, said he was impressed with the breadth of the research and that the findings fit nicely with those of previous smaller studies. A lingering question, however, is "whether there's an increased risk in the pediatric population," he said.
It may be the case that children have an increased risk of meningioma compared with teens and adults. "Children's tissues are thinner than adults," Black said. "Also, their cells are dividing more rapidly, and can be more easily damaged by X-rays."
People should carefully weigh the risks with the benefits of getting dental X-rays, which can spot such issues as decay, gum disease and oral abscesses, said Black, who's declined getting routine dental X-rays for more than 20 years.
Claus said she is concerned that patients and maybe even some dentists don't know the dental X-ray guidelines.
"We need to just get the word out and make people aware of the guidelines and talk with their dentists about it," Claus said.
The study is published today (Apr. 10) in the journal Cancer....
LiveScience.comBy Joseph Castro | LiveScience.com ? 15 hours ago
[snip]
Dr. Keith Black, a neurosurgeon at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California who was not involved in the research, said he was impressed with the breadth of the research and that the findings fit nicely with those of previous smaller studies. A lingering question, however, is "whether there's an increased risk in the pediatric population," he said.
It may be the case that children have an increased risk of meningioma compared with teens and adults. "Children's tissues are thinner than adults," Black said. "Also, their cells are dividing more rapidly, and can be more easily damaged by X-rays."
People should carefully weigh the risks with the benefits of getting dental X-rays, which can spot such issues as decay, gum disease and oral abscesses, said Black, who's declined getting routine dental X-rays for more than 20 years.
Claus said she is concerned that patients and maybe even some dentists don't know the dental X-ray guidelines.
"We need to just get the word out and make people aware of the guidelines and talk with their dentists about it," Claus said.
The study is published today (Apr. 10) in the journal Cancer....