Early Detection of Hilar Type of Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Abstract

Lung cancer among chromate workers has been recognized as one cf the occupational lung cancers based on cumulative reports since 1911. We have been doing health check-ups of chromate workers for detection of bronchogenic carcinoma since 1973. The subjects were 284 chromate workers who were employed more than one year at a chromate factory in Hokkaido. Of the workers, 266 were men and 18 were women. The methods of check-up were chest roentgenogram, sputum cytology twice a year and bronchoscopic examination annually. We found eight cases of bronchogenic carcinoma among chromate workers by health checkup 1973–1979. All were men. Ages ranged from 45 to 73 years. The period of exposure to chromate dust or mist ranged from 6 to 36 years. The histology was squamous cell carcinoma in five, small cell carcinoma in two and poor differentiated adenocarcinoma in one. As to the primary site, seven cases were hilar and only one was peripheral type. All six cases which were found by chest roentgenogram were late stage bronchogenic carcinoma. Two cases of early stage hilar type of bronchogenic carcinoma were found by sputum cytology and bronchoscopic examination. These cases are as follows.