Pleural Mesothelioma in a Woman Whose Documented Past Exposure to Asbestos was From Smoking Asbestos-Containing Filtered Cigarettes: The Comparative Value of Analytical Transmission Electron Microscopic Analysis of Lung and Lymph-Node Tissue
Wednesday, July 26th, 2006.
Inhalation Toxicology. 2006 Aug;18(9):679-84. [Link]
Dodson RF, Hammar SP.
Dodson Environmental Consulting, Inc., and ERI Analytical, Tyler, Texas, USA.
Abstract
Asbestos has had many commercial applications, including its use as a major component in various types of filters. Between 1952 and 1956, crocidolite asbestos was used as a component of filters for cigarettes, reportedly greatly reducing tars and nicotine from mainstream smoke. This case report quantifies asbestos burden in lung and lymph node tissue in a 67-yr-old woman who succumbed to mesothelioma. Her only historically documented exposure to asbestos was from smoking crocidolite asbestos-containing filtered cigarettes between 1952 and 1956. Tissue digestion analysis by analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) identified crocidolite fibers in lungs and thoracic lymph nodes. Combined ATEM data of lung and lymph node tissue clarified the patient’s exposure to asbestos and particularly to crocidolite asbestos and thus to the presence of an entity recognized as the causal agent for mesothelioma.
Glossary
- lymph nodes
- small bean-shaped collections of immune system tissue such as lymphocytes, found along lymphatic vessels. They remove cell waste and fluids from lymph and help fight infections. Also called lymph glands.
- lymph
- (limf) clear fluid that flows through the lymphatic vessels and contains cells known as lymphocytes. These cells are important in fighting infections and may also have a role in fighting cancer.
- tissue
- a collection of cells, united to perform a particular function.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
