Moderate too Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Linked to Increased Brain Cancer Risk, New Study Finds
COLUMBIA, MO – A new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and a national team of researchers reveals that individuals who sustain a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) face a 50% higher risk of developing a malignant brain tumor.The findings, published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association, represent the largest and most diverse investigation to date examining the potential connection between TBI and brain cancer.
While previous research suggested a link in veterans-who may experience unique risk factors like toxin exposure and combat stress-this study focused on over 150,000 civilian adults across three major health systems to determine if similar outcomes occurred outside of a military context. the results indicate that while mild TBIs showed no increased risk, moderate to severe injuries significantly elevate the likelihood of a malignant brain tumor diagnosis. This discovery could lead to earlier cancer detection and improved patient outcomes through targeted screening for individuals with a history of significant head trauma.
“Why moderate-to-severe TBIs increase the risk of tumors is not well-understood,” explained Ross Zafonte, lead researcher from the University of Missouri School of medicine. “This could be as of disruptions in metabolic processes or an increase in inflammatory responses in the brain and nervous system.”
researchers note the study did not differentiate between specific types of malignant brain tumors, presenting an opportunity for future investigation into potential links between particular tumor types and TBI history. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing TBI as a potential long-term risk factor and highlight the need for proactive monitoring in affected patients.
