Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Modeling Oral-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 3D Organoids
Published on: December 23, 2022
Respiratory squamous cell carcinomas in vibroacoustic disease
José Reis Ferreira1, Carla P Mendes, Mariana Alves-Pereira
1Médico pneumologista, Serviço de Pneumologia, Hospital da Força Aérea, Lisbon, Portugal.
Vibroacoustic disease (VAD) patients exclusively develop squamous cell carcinomas in the respiratory tract. Helicopter pilots show earlier tumor onset, regardless of smoking habits, highlighting the importance of histological tumor type in VAD studies.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Vibroacoustic disease (VAD) surveillance for malignancy initiated in 1987 following a patient autopsy revealing renal cell carcinoma and malignant glioma.
- 46 malignancies observed in 945 VAD individuals, with 11 cases of multiple tumors.
- All 11 respiratory tract tumors in VAD patients were identified as squamous cell carcinomas (SqCC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological characteristics of respiratory tract tumors in Vibroacoustic Disease (VAD) patients.
- To analyze the prevalence and histological type of malignancies in a cohort of VAD patients.
- To explore potential correlations between VAD, tumor type, and occupational factors.
Main Methods:
- Tumor fragments from 11 male VAD patients (average age 58±9 years) were collected via endoscopic biopsy or surgery.
- Samples included 2 glottis and 9 lung tumors; 3 patients were non-smokers.
- Histological analysis included light and electron microscopy, with immunohistochemistry for chromogranin and synaptophysin.
Main Results:
- All lung tumors were poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas (SqCC) located in the upper right lobe bronchi.
- Neuroendocrine marker searches were negative.
- Helicopter pilots exhibited earlier tumor onset (average age <50) compared to other professional groups; smoking habits did not influence tumor outcome.
Conclusions:
- The consistent finding of SqCC in VAD patients' respiratory tracts is highly significant, contrasting with general lung tumor epidemiology.
- Earlier tumor onset in helicopter pilots may be linked to higher sister chromatid exchange rates previously observed in this group.
- Accurate histological tumor typing is crucial for future epidemiological studies involving VAD patients.
Related Concept Videos
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease