Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
1989-12-21
pubmed:abstractText
We have previously shown that there are differences in the sizes of fibers of amosite asbestos in different parts of the lung in workers with relatively high asbestos exposure and malignant pleural mesothelioma. To determine whether this distribution pattern is specific to cases of mesothelioma, we compared the fiber distribution in the lungs of 20 cases of mesothelioma and 10 cases of carcinoma of the lung. The two test groups were statistically identical in terms of age, and exposure period, and overall both groups had very similar mean fiber concentrations and mean fiber sizes. When individual sampling sites within the lung were considered, neither group showed preferential fiber concentration in any area. However, there were definite differences in the intrapulmonary fiber size distribution both within and between the two groups: Cases of mesothelioma showed accumulation of lung fibers in the peripheral upper lobe with shorter central upper lobe fibers. The lung cancer cases demonstrated a reverse pattern, with shorter fibers in the peripheral compared to central upper lobe, but accumulations of long fibers in the peripheral lower lobe. Fiber surfaces and masses showed similar differences among sample sites. We conclude that (1) there is no evidence for fiber concentration variations in different portions of the lung; (2) there is strong evidence for variations in fiber sizes in different portions of the lung, and these differences are most clearly related to fiber length, surface area, and mass; (3) contrary to data from experimental animals, there are no clear gravitational effects on fiber distribution in humans; and (4) there are reproducible differences in intrapulmonary fiber size distribution between mesothelioma and lung cancer cases. These differences may be a manifestation of individual handling of mineral particles because of structural variations in individual lungs.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Sep
pubmed:issn
0190-2148
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
15
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
771-83
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1989
pubmed:articleTitle
The distribution of amosite asbestos fibers in the lungs of workers with mesothelioma or carcinoma.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't