Increased Risk for Small Cell Lung Cancer following Residential Exposure to Low-dose Radon: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Alpha track radon detectors were placed in the homes of 35 lung cancer patients and 35 matched controls for a period of 8 to 10 mo. Twenty lung cancer patients had small cell lung carcinoma; 11 had adenocarcinoma, 2 had squamous cell carcinoma, and 2 had unclassified carcinoma among 15 nonsmokers. Mean overall living on ground level was significantly higher in the group with small cell lung carcinoma (50 y +/- 15) than among controls (33 y +/- 19); the adjusted odds ratio for lung cancer was 5.2 (90% confidence interval [90% CI] = 1.1-24.9) per decade of living on the ground floor for the group with small cell lung carcinoma. Radon exposure of more than 1.0 pci/l in the group with small cell lung carcinoma was associated with increased risk of lung cancer, although it did not reach statistical significance [odds ratio = 1.5 (90% CI = 0.4-5.4)], adjusting for differences in smoking habits. Our study supports the presence of a differentially increased risk for small cell lung carcinoma following long-term radon exposure.

Residential Radon and Histological Types of Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Case‒Control Studies

“…After assessing the full text of the relevant articles, 30 studies were selected for detailed review for inclusion in the meta-analysis. From the 30 studies, two reports [29,30] were excluded because their corresponding CIs were 90%, not 95%. Finally, 28 studies , which included 13,748 lung cancer cases and 23,112 controls, were used for the meta-analysis to assess residential radon exposure and the risk of lung cancer.…”

Analysis of Radon Gas Exposure in the Home on the Risk of Lung Cancer (Narrative Review)

“…Nine research journal articles showing an association with lung cancer risk, the average duration of stay in the house of the respondent with various Rn concentrations, starting from> 2 years (Park, et al 2020 [20]); 2 years (Wilcox, et al 2008 [11]); > 5 years (Barros-Dios, et al 2012 [21]); ± 10 years (Pisa, et al 2001[12]. & Biberman, et al 1993 [22]); and between 20 -30 years (Gonzalez, et al 2019 [23]; Duran, et al 2014 [24]; Kreienbrock, et al 2001 [13]; Bochicchio, et al 2013 [25]). Measurement of the respondent's residence years for at least the last 15 years is urgently needed.…”

“…Based on each journal article used in this narrative review, there are six journal articles [13], [16], [21], [23], [24], and [25], explained that the type of lung cancer cells with certain subtypes that mostly developed in respondents due to exposure to Rn was Adenocarcinoma. Then followed by another type of lung cancer, namely Squamous Cell Carcinoma which is found in three research journal articles [13], [23], [24], and Small Cell Lung Cancer found in two research journal articles [21], [22]. One article journal explained the types of lung cancer cells due to exposure to Rn were found to be Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with stage I-IIIA [27].…”