Lung Cancers in Chromate Workers—Analysis of 11 Cases

Abstract

For 14 years from 1969 to December, 1982, we have treated 11 Chromate workers with lung cancer including one case of double primary cancers. These 11 patients were all males and aged from 40 to 68 (average age: 53.9). Ten patients were heavy smokers. The period of exposure to chromium ranged from 17 to 29 years (average: 23.9 years). Perforation of the nasal septum was seen in seven patients. The primary sites of lung cancer were the left upper lobe in four cases, the left lower lobe in four cases, the right upper lobe in three cases and the right lower lobe in one case. It was assumed that the primary lesion developed in Ist to IVth order bronchi. Histologically, there were 9 squamous cell carcinomas including one case of double primary cancers and three small cell carcinomas. In squamous cell carcinoma cases, four cases were hilar type early stage cancers. There were few cases with squamous cell metaplasia showing mild to moderate atypia and mild bullous changes in the lung parenchyma. The chromium content of surgically resected or autopsy materials of seven patients revealed 13.9 to 2,368.43 ug/g of dry tissue which were higher values than those of controls. © 1986, The Japan Lung Cancer Society. All rights reserved.