A clinicopathological study of lung cancer patients with occupational exposure to chrysotile asbestos fibers.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the features of asbestos-related lung cancer.


METHODS
Thirty-one lung cancer patients with occupational exposure to chrysotile asbestos fibers. They worked or had worked in one asbestos factory or its subcontracters.


RESULTS
All patients were male with mean age of 60.6 when diagnosed, and all except one were current or ex-'heavy' smokers. Histological types were fairly evenly divided into adeno-, squamous and small cell carcinoma and 24 (78%) of patients showed 'peripheral type' lung cancers. Regarding clinical stages, 20 patients (65%) were classified as III or IV (advanced stage). Tumor shadow(s) was detected on chest X-ray in 22 patients (71%), and in 5 patients with 'negative' chest X-ray, chest CT was necessary to recognize a primary tumor. Seventeen patients (55%) did not undergo periodical check-ups.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational asbestos exposure is interpreted as one of the important risks for lung cancer and frequent and accurate observation is necessary.
Hamada
K
K
Department of Internal Medicine II, Nara Medical University, Kashihara.
Tokuyama
T
T
Okamoto
Y
Y
Morikawa
S
S
Konoike
Y
Y
Kasuga
H
H
Katada
H
H
Nishikawa
K
K
Tamura
M
M
Miyazaki
R
R
Narita
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001194:Asbestos