Head Injuries May Raise Brain Cancer Risk: Major Studies Reveal

A new wave of research, published across multiple journals including Jama Network Open, has uncovered a troubling connection: moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may significantly increase the risk of developing malignant brain tumors later in life.

While head injuries have long been linked to neurological issues like memory loss and dementia, recent studies now suggest that certain types of brain trauma could potentially trigger cancerous changes in brain tissue. Understanding this link is becoming increasingly important, especially as head injuries from contact sports, falls, and accidents remain common.

The main study tracked health records of more than 75,000 participants between 2000 and 2024. Researchers found that 0.6% of those with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries developed malignant brain tumors within three to five years post-injury—a rate significantly higher than in individuals with no history of traumatic brain injuries. Mild injuries, however, showed no increased cancer risk. A separate 2024 study involving nearly two million U.S. veterans found that moderate/severe traumatic brain injuries nearly doubled the risk of brain cancer, while penetrating traumatic brain injuries more than tripled it.