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.
Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan.
T
T
Uyama
Y
Y
Monden
M
M
Tsuyuguchi
K
K
Harada
S
S
Kimura
T
T
Taniki
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