Lung cancer in chromate workers: high-risk group for multiple lung cancer.
We diagnosed eight (8.9%) lung cancer patients in 90 workers exposed to chromate compounds. The duration of exposure ranged from 8 to 31 years, with a mean value of 18 +/- 8 years. The histological classification was squamous-cell carcinoma in seven patients and adenocarcinoma in one patient. The site of origin of the primary tumors was located peripherally in two (25%) and centrally in six (75%). All but one of these patients underwent surgery. In three (37.5%) of these patients, lung cancer foci were detected during the postoperative follow-up by sputum cytology and bronchoscopy. Two of these three patients had multicentric cancer foci: double primary early squamous-cell carcinoma in one and early squamous-cell carcinoma + small-cell lung cancer in the other. In a high-risk group such as chromate workers, we should emphasize early detection of lung cancer by serial sputum cytology, chest x-rays, and bronchoscopy. Lung cancer patients with chromate exposure should be treated with due regard to the possibility of synchronous or metachronous cancer.
Uyama
T
T
Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan.
Monden
Y
Y
Tsuyuguchi
M
M
Harada
K
K
Kimura
S
S
Taniki
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002840:Chromates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D002840:Chromates