A case of triple cancer with asbestos exposure

Abstract

Background. Patients with multiple cancer risk factors (especially asbestos exposure) may suffer from multiple cancers. Case. A 75-year-old man had occupational asbestos exposure over a 30-year period. At a medical check up performed by his company, a nodule in the right lower lobe and some nodules in the left lower lobe were discovered in his chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scans, so the patient was referred to our hospital for examination. Based on a CT-guided lung biopsy performed after admission, we diagnosed lung squamous carcinoma. Further systemic examinations revealed that he also suffered from gastric cancer and colon cancer, and thus triple cancer was proven. Multiple lung, mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes and liver metastases were also revealed, so we concluded that systemic chemotherapy was indicated for this patient. We chose irinotecan and S-1 as an effective regimen. After 3 courses were performed, his tumors were reduced in size. Conclusion. In cases of asbestos exposure, it is well known that the incidence of lung cancer is high, while some reports indicate that incidences of gastric and colon cancer are also high. Especially in cases with multiple cancer risk factors, clinicians must be aware of the possibility of multiple cancers. © 2009 The Japan Lung Cancer Society.