No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The objective of the present study is to determine the feasibility of chest computed tomography (CT) in screening for lung cancer among asbestos-exposed workers.In total, 633 workers were included in the present study and were examined with chest radiography and high-resolution CT (HRCT). A total of 180 current and ex-smokers (cessation within the previous 10 yrs) were also screened with spiral CT. Noncalcified lung nodules were considered positive findings. The incidental CT findings not related to asbestos exposure were registered and further examined when needed.Noncalcified lung nodules were detected in 86 workers. Five histologically confirmed lung cancers were found. Only one of the five cancers was also detected by plain chest radiography and three were from the group of patients with a pre-estimated lower cancer probability. Two lung cancers were stage Ia and were radically operated. In total, 277 individuals presented 343 incidental findings of which 46 required further examination. Four of these were regarded as clinically important.In conclusion, computed tomography and high-resolution computed tomography proved to be superior to plain radiography in detecting lung cancer in asbestos-exposed workers with many confounding chest findings. The numerous incidental findings are a major concern for future screenings, which should be considered for asbestos-exposed ex-smokers and current smokers.

Effects of tobacco smoking on findings in chest computed tomography among asbestosexposed workers. T. Vehmas, L. Kivisaari, M.S. Huuskonen, M.S. Jaakkola. #ERS Journals Ltd 2003. ABSTRACT: This study examined the effects of smoking on the findings in chest computed tomography (CT) in 587 asbestos-exposed construction workers (11 females, 576 males, mean age 62 yrs; 18 never-smokers, 406 exsmokers and 163 current smokers). The workers were imaged with spiral CT and high-resolution CT. A total of 13 radiological signs were scored by three radiologists independently. The workers9 medical data, smoking habits and occupational exposures were collected at an interview. The effects of smoking status and smoked pack-yrs (0-87.5) on the CT signs were studied using multivariate analysis adjusted for confounding factors.Smoking increased all emphysema signs and contributed to bronchial wall thickening. Smoking was negatively associated with curvilinear and septal lines as well as with parenchymal bands. In persons who had smoked v10 pack-yrs, smoking was positively related to paraseptal emphysema and to bronchial wall thickening and negatively related to septal lines, subpleural nodules and honeycombing.Smoking was related to several abnormal computed tomography signs even among those with relatively small exposure. Computed tomography can detect changes due to smoking at an early stage.

and Environmental Health-The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ecological relationship between mesothelioma incidence/mortality and per capita asbestos consumption in ten Western countries and Japan. The two national indices used to assess the geographical correlation were the most recent incidence/mortality rate of mesothelioma for the population over 15 years of age, and the per capita asbestos consumption rate of approximately 10-25 years ago for the population of all ages at that time. Among the ten Western countries, a clear linear relationship was shown between the mesothelioma incidence/mortality rate and the preceding per capita asbestos consumption rate with the Spearman correlation coefficient at 0.70 (p=0.03), and R2-value at 66%. However, the data-point for Japan was situated apart from the linear relationship due to the lower mesothelioma mortality rate, and when combined with other Western countries, the significant relationship diminished.It is possible that the asbestos consumption curve for Japan in past years lagged behind that for the Western countries and the cumulative exposure effect has not yet reached the level that can be expected from other Western countries. (J Occup Health 1999; 41: 8-11)

The following articles refer to this text: 2001;27(2):0; 2003;29(1):0