Quantitative analysis of asbestos burden in women with mesothelioma.
BACKGROUND
Lung tissue from 15 women who died from mesothelioma was evaluated for tissue burden of ferruginous bodies and uncoated asbestos fibers. The group contained individuals who had occupational exposure to asbestos and others had family members whose work history included vocations where contact with asbestos containing materials occurred.


METHODS
Tissue samples from tumor free lung were digested and filtered and then investigated for ferruginous bodies by light microscopy and asbestos and non-asbestos fibers by analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM). Size and type of fibers were also analyzed.


RESULTS
Asbestos bodies were found in 13 of the 15 samples and asbestos fibers were found in all cases. The most commonly found uncoated asbestos fiber in these individuals was amosite whereas tremolite was the second most commonly found form. The asbestos fiber burden in these females was often of mixed types.


CONCLUSIONS
The asbestos body and fiber burden in these cases show variation in tissue burden. Some cases in this study had appreciable burden, which was attributed to secondhand exposure from occupationally exposed family members. Mesothelioma can occur also in individuals with comparatively low tissue burdens of asbestos.
Dodson
Ronald F
RF
The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas 75708, USA. ronald.dodson@uthct.edu
O'Sullivan
Michael
M
Brooks
Dwaina R
DR
Hammar
Samuel P
SP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017639:Asbestos, Amosite / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D001822:Body Burden; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D017636:Asbestos, Amphibole; D019016:Mineral Fibers; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite; D017639:Asbestos, Amosite; C005846:tremolite