Evaluation of the distribution of ferruginous bodies and the kind of asbestos fibers in the lungs in lung cancer cases with definite occupational history of asbestos exposure

Abstract

The distribution of ferruginous bodies in the lungs of ten lung cancer patients with definite occupational history of asbestos exposure and the kind of core fibers in the center of the ferruginous bodies were evaluated. Six cases had a history of asbestos exposure in shipyards or Japanese naval dockyard, and the other four also had a definite history of occupational asbestos exposure. The largest number of ferruginous bodies was detected in the upper or middle lobes, but in only one case the lung cancer was present in the lobe in which the largest number of ferruginous bodies was detected. Therefore, the primary site of lung cancer is not dependent on the number of ferruginous bodies. The core of the ferruginous bodies was chrysotile in 7 cases, and amosite fibers were frequently detected in the three cases from the Japanese naval dockyard.