Lung cancer growing around a silicotic nodule

The authors report on a patient, working for 17 years in ceramic industry, in whom simple silicosis was revealed in 1977. In 1985 the disease progressed and a nodule-like opacity in the left upper lung lobe was detected. After one year of further progression cavitation was found. Suspected cancer was confirmed cytologically by discovering epidermoid cancer cells in the lavage from the growing around the silicotic nodule. Lobectomy was performed, the postoperative course being without complications.