Retrospective search for asbestos bodies in necropsies and biopsies on cases of primary malignant disease of the lung

Abstract

Fifty-three histologically confirmed carcinomas of the lung, diagnosed between 1965 and 1967, were studied: 23 in a necropsy series, 15 in operation specimens, 5 of which in scalene node biopsy, and 15 in bronchial biopsy. All the tumours, with the exception of the 5 observed in scalene node biopsy, were re-examined for possible association with asbestos bodies. No asbestos bodies were found in any case. Other possible causative factors were investigated, but it was not possible to establish a definite association with the tumours. In the necropsy series, the average age was 63·3 years, there were 19 tumours in males and 4 in females and, histologically, the anaplastic type was the most frequent, 16 out of 23. In the operation specimen series the average age was 53·8 years, there were 10 tumours in males and 5 in females and 8 out of 15 were of anaplastic type. In the bronchial biopsy series the average age was 59·5 years, there were 13 tumours in males and 2 in females, the squamous type was the most frequent, 11 out of 15.