Cell Phone Gave Man a Brain Tumor: Court

Italian businessman Innocente Marcolini developed a brain tumor after using his cell phone heavily for 12 years—and Italy's Supreme Court says that his phone is to blame, the Sun reports. Evidence from a respected oncologist and a neurosurgeon convinced the court that electromagnetic radiation from cell phones—and cordless phones—can damage cells. "The court decision is extremely important," said Angelo Gino Levis, the oncologist. "It finally officially recognizes the link."

"It’ll open not a road but a motorway to legal actions by victims," he added. "We’re considering a class action." Sixty-year-old Marcolini's tumor is benign, but could have killed him when it spread to a major blood vessel called the carotid artery. Now he takes morphine daily to ease the pain, and is paralyzed in half of his face. But a cell phone watchdog sounded a calm note about the case, calling for more studies and urging people to "limit mobile and cordless use until we know more." (More cell phones stories.)