The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 74, 495-498, Copyright © 1977 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Radiation-induced carcinoma of the lung--the St. Lawrence tragedy
ES Wright and CM Couves
This paper reviews the problem of radiation-induced carcinoma of the lung
in the fluorspar mines of Newfoundland. Seventy-eight workers have died
from this disease since commercial operation commenced in 1933. In 1959 the
source of the radiation was identified as radon, and its daughter
nucleotides present as contaminants in water seeping into the mines. Heavy
smoking is probably a synergistic cocarcinogen. The histology in this group
of patients with radiation-induced lung cancers is unusual, since squamous
cell carcinoma accounts for 90 percent of all cases. There have been four
patients with second primary lung cancers. Radical radiotherapy has been
the primary mode of treatment based on the reluctance of the miners to
undergo operation. Surprisingly good results have been obtained, with an
average survival time of 34 months after treatment. Institution of improved
ventilation has reduced radiation to safe levels, but an estimated 120
miners from the pre-1960 era are still at risk.
