Does asbestos exposure cause non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or related hematolymphoid cancers? A review of the epidemiologic literature.
Asbestos exposure has been linked to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and other types of hematolymphoid cancer (HL-CA) in several case reports and epidemiologic studies. This review covers the scientific and medical literature on the issue of whether asbestos exposure is a cause of NHL or other HL-CAs. Studies of animals exposed to asbestos have not shown an increase in NHL or other types of HL-CA. Although some patients with asbestosis have mild immunologic abnormalities, 32 of 35 epidemiologic studies of asbestos exposure in humans are negative for NHL or other HL-CAs. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is no increased risk of NHL or other HL-CAs associated with asbestos exposure.
Department of Pathology and Microbiology University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA. dweisenb@unmc.edu
Dennis D
DD
Weisenburger
Brian C H
BC
Chiu
D000328:Adult; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite / Q000009:adverse effects; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003252:Construction Materials; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008906:Mining; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012306:Risk; D014186:Transportation
D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite; D001194:Asbestos