A hospital is addressing concerns after five nurses from the same ward were diagnosed with benign tumors.
Mass General Brigham Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts, has initiated an inquiry after 11 employees from its fifth-floor maternity unit reported health problems.
Among these, five staff members were diagnosed with benign tumors; three being brain tumors and two identified as meningiomas.
According to medical definitions, a benign tumor is ‘a noncancerous collection of cells’ that is ‘slow-growing’ and does not metastasize.
While typically symptom-free, ‘a large benign tumor may press on nearby tissue and organs,’ necessitating surgical removal, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic.
The Mayo Clinic describes a meningioma as ‘the most common type of tumor that forms in the head.’
Meningiomas ‘grow from the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges,’ and the Mayo Clinic further clarifies that ‘a meningioma is not a brain tumor, but it may press on nearby brain, nerves, and vessels.’
The hospital released a statement, as mentioned by the Daily Star: “After we became aware of reported brain tumors in individuals who currently or previously had worked in the same area of the hospital, we conducted an extensive investigation in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Newton-Wellesley Safety Officer, radiation and pharmaceutical safety offices, and external environmental consultants.”
“Every staff member who came forward was given the opportunity to be interviewed by the Occupational Health and Safety team to evaluate each diagnosis in the context of their individual medical history and risk factors.”
“To evaluate for any possible environmental exposures in that area of the hospital, comprehensive environmental assessments following CDC guidelines began in December.”
“The investigation found no environmental risks which could be linked to the development of a brain tumor.”
Hospital officials further stated (via NBC News): “Based on these results, we can confidently reassure our dedicated team … and all our patients that there is no environmental risk at our facility.”
The hospital’s nurses’ union has also commented on the investigation.
The union reported that a group of nurses raised concerns about workplace health, leading to the discovery that some had tumors.
Massachusetts Nurses Association spokesperson, Joe Markman, stated: “Right now, the best way we can help is to complete an independent, scientific investigation.”
Markman critiqued the hospital’s approach, alleging it ‘only spoke to a small number of nurses’ and that its ‘environmental testing was not comprehensive.’
“The hospital cannot make this issue go away by attempting to provide a predetermined conclusion,” he stated.
He also mentioned that efforts for an independent investigation are ‘underway’ and ‘may take additional weeks.’