Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

A Study of the Results of Sputum Cytology as a Special Health Examination: Jun Hoo Lee, Chang Ho Chae, Young Wook Kim, Jun Seok Son, Ja Hyeon Kim, Seung Hyun Park, Ho Seong Cho; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(2):122-129. Published online June 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.2.122

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
This study aims investigate the results of sputum cytology, which began its test period from 2009 as a special health examination for individuals whose lungs have been exposed to carcinogens.
METHODS
22,215 cases of sputum results were classified into six categories through Papanicolau classification. The sputum results were analyzed according to age, exposure degree to welding fumes and smoking status. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were used to compare and analyze the associations between sputum results and smoking status, exposure degree and age classifications.
RESULTS
The number of class I cases was 20,784 with a frequency of (93.6%), class II had 1,076 cases (4.8%), class III had 69 cases (0.3%), and the inadequate class had 286 cases (1.3%) and there were no cases in class VI and V. Patients in class III received CT scans of their chest for further evaluation, but no cancer patients were found from that. There were 2.48 times (95% CI 1.12~5.53) more smokers than non-smokers in class III and 1.70 times (95% CI 1.43~2.02) more in class II. The number of ex-smokers was 2.46 times (95% CI 1.01~5.99) larger than the number of non-smokers in class III and 1.28 times (95% CI 1.03~1.60) larger than the number of non-smokers in class II. There were 1.54 times (95% CI 1.28~1.85) more patients from the mid-exposure group than the low exposure group in class II. There were 1.62 times (95% CI 1.31~1.99) more patients from the high-exposure group than the low-exposure group in class II.
CONCLUSIONS
As a screening test for lung cancer, the usefulness of sputum cytology is limited. However, the precancerous cells (class II, class III) varied according to welding fume exposure degree and smoking status.

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Case Report

Lung Cancer Occurring in a Worker Exposed to Coke Oven Emissions: Hyun Sul Lim, Jung Keun Choi, Eun Hye Kwon, Heon Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(1):97-106. Published online March 31, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.1.97

OBJECTIVES
We report a case of lung cancer (small cell carcinoma) occurring in a worker exposed to coke oven emissions.
METHODS
We examined the chest CT and pathologic findings of the patient. We reviewed previous environmental measurements for coke oven emissions at the workers place of employment. Also we measured the airborne concentrations for coke oven emissions and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the work area. Finally, we analyzed the 1-hydroxypyrene and 2-naphthol concentrations in the subjects urine and compared this with student controls.
RESULTS
This case was a 56-year-old male who had worked in a coke oven plant within a steel manufacturing factory for 21 years (1977-1998). The airborne concentrations of coke oven emissions at the worksite were above the permissible exposure level (0.2 mg/m3) in 45 cases (33.1%) among 136 workers. The concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene and 2-naphthol in the subjects urine were statistically significantly elevated as compared with those of controls (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
We confirmed that the lung cancer occurring in this patient was as an occupational disease due to exposure to coke oven emissions. To prevent occupational cancer in coke oven plant workers, we must remodel the engineering procedure, begin comprehensive medical surveillance, educate workers on risks and the benefits of smoking cessation, and increase awareness of safety regulations in the workplace.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Occupational Cancers with Chemical Exposure and their Prevention in Korea: A Literature Review
Kyung-Taek Rim
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention.2013; 14(6): 3379. CrossRef
Occupational Respiratory Cancer in Korea
Hye-Eun Lee, Hyoung Ryoul Kim
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S94. CrossRef

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