Abstract
Background. Molecular research on malignant diseases caused by asbestos exposure has revealed the carcinogenic mechanism underlying these conditions. We herein report the case of a worker exposed to asbestos who developed lung cancer after undergoing surgery for localized malignant mesothelioma. Case. A 71-year-old male building site worker was referred to our hospital for an investigation of a right anterior chest tumor. The imaging findings revealed an invasive right chest wall tumor infiltrating the ribs and lung. The results of a preoperative tumor biopsy identified the mass to be a metastatic tumor originating from the digestive organs; however, the primary tumor was not found. For diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, total surgical removal of the tumor was performed together with resection of the chest wall (removal of the 3rd and 4th ribs) and partial resection of the right upper lobe. A histopathologic examination revealed a 6.4-cm tumor located within the parietal pleura. The final diagnosis was a biphasic localized malignant mesothelioma based on the findings of the immunohistochemical studies. One year after the surgery, a computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a small pulmonary nodule in the right lower lobe. For diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, surgery was performed again for partial resection of the right lower lobe. A histopathologic examination revealed a 1.5-cm bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Conclusion. We herein reported the case of a patient who developed lung cancer after surgery for localized malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos is a carcinogenic factor for the development of multiple primary cancers; therefore, the possibility of another cancer should be taken into consideration.
