The most common types of work-related cancers

Tobacco smoking is a major cause of several different types of cancer. ^{© Colourbox}

Lung cancer, mesothelioma and bladder cancer are among the most common types of work-related cancers. Even sino-nasal cancer and leukemia can be caused by carcinogens found in the work environment.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer has been the most common cancer in the world for several decades. It is also the most common cause of death from cancer worldwide.

Globally, about 75 % of all lung cancers can be attributed to tobacco smoking, – and hence smoking habits in a population exceed all other factors in importance. This estimate is higher in countries with historically high smoking prevalence such as high-income North America, Europe and East Asia, and lower in regions with low smoking prevalence such as sub-Saharan Africa.

Many work-related exposures have been associated with lung cancer. Among the most significant are asbestos, cadmium, chromium and nickel compounds, crystalline silica dust, diesel exhaust, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), aluminum production, painting, rubber production welding and X-radiation. It is important to notice that lung carcinogens encountered at the workplace often act in an additive or synergistic manner in smokers. In the case of asbestos work, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure creates a risk of cancer much higher than just adding the risks.

Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a very rare, but invariably fatal form of cancer that arises from the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many internal organs. Most cases develop from the mesothelial surface of pleura, and the median survival time after diagnosis is less than one year. More than 80 % of the cases are related to asbestos exposure. The time that elapses between the asbestos exposure to the onset of the mesothelioma, is very long, – typically more than 30 years. Therefore, cases of the cancer that are emerging today could be a consequence of the patients work conditions very many years ago.

Urinary bladder cancer

The epithelium that lines the mucosal surfaces of the urinary tract is exposed to potential carcinogens that are excreted in the urine, and environmental exposures including tobacco-smoking, account for most cases of bladder cancer. The proportion of bladder cancer attributable to occupational exposure varies in different studies in the range 4-27 %. Among occupations associated with bladder cancer are painting, aluminum production, firefighting and rubber production industry.

Sino-nasal cancer

Primary malignant tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer are extremely rare. Because of the low absolute risk in the general population accompanied by high relative risks for specific chemical exposures and occupational settings, sino-nasal cancer sometimes is regarded as a ‘sentinel cancer’ or a warning signal suggestive of a hazardous work environment. Occupational exposure accounts for approximately one third of sino-nasal cancer cases among men. Among the most significant work-related exposures that can cause sino-nasal cancer are wood dust, leather dust and nickel compounds.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow. Leukemia causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced. The cancer cells interfere with the body’s production of healthy cells, making the body unable to fight off infections. Acute myelogenous leukemia has been associated with occupational exposures such as benzene and ionizing radiation. Cancers involving the hematopoietic system usually have shorter latency, i.e. the time that elapses between the exposure to the onset of the cancer, than solid tumors.