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Asbestos, an extrinsic factor in the pathogenesis of bronchogenic carcinoma and mesothelioma
Author(s) -
O'Donnell Ward M.,
Mann Richard H.,
Grosh John L.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(196608)19:8<1143::aid-cncr2820190815>3.0.co;2-5
Subject(s) - mesothelioma , asbestosis , asbestos , medicine , pathology , adenocarcinoma , carcinoma , bronchogenic carcinoma , peritoneum , cancer , lung , materials science , metallurgy
In 55 asbestos textile workers who had pathologically proven asbestosis, 28 malignant neoplasms were found—23 bronchogenic carcinomas and 5 mesotheliomas of peritoneum or pleura. Of the 28 patients with neoplasms, 26 had been exposed to asbestos dust before 1936; the medium total occupational exposure was 20 years. The interval from initial exposure until the recognition of the neoplasms varied from 20 to 40 years. Thirteen of the individuals no longer were employed in the industry when evidence of the neoplasms appeared. The primary anatomical site of the carcinomas was in the lower lobes of the lungs in 22 patients and in one instance was multicentric in origin. In the morphologic classification of the neoplasms, 10 were the squamous cell variety; 7 were anaplastic; 5 were adenocarcinoma and one was bronchiolar. The frequent association of pulmonary asbestosis with bronchogenic carcinoma (42%) and mesothelioma (8%), as seen in this study, lends further support to the opinion that asbestos is a carcinogen in susceptible individuals after critical exposure in the textile phase of the industry.