1979 Volume 19 Issue 3 Pages 291-298
A 51-year-old male, exposed to asbestos for 27 years, was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea. The characteristic findings of the chest roentgenogram were a tumorous shadow in the left lower lung field and a shadow suspected extensive pleural thickening all over the left lung, in addition to the findings of asbestosis, grade 2. It was diagnosed as a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung by means of cytology of the sputum and needle biopsy of the lung.
After conservative treatment of approximately one month's duration, he died of pneumonia.
Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung arising from the periphery of the left lower lobe associated with moderate asbestosis. The shadow suggested of pleural thickening in the roentgenogram was proved as additional lymphangitis carcinomatosa to the tough fibrous adhesion of the pleura. Distant metastasis was seen to the pancreas, the right adrenal and the right kidney.
The clinico-pathological features of asbestos-related lung cancer and the problem of asbestos pollution were discussed.
