Mechanism of Detection of Thyroid Cancer Among World Trade Center Exposed Rescue and Recovery Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Brito J ; Colbeth H ; Genere N ; Hall C ; Jaber N ; Prezant D ; Skerker M ; Zeig-Owens R
• Description:
  Background: Positive associations of World trade Center (WTC)-exposure with thyroid cancer (TC) have been documented; but to date, none of the compounds found at the WTC disaster site have proven to be associated with TC. Although exposure to radiation may cause TC; only baseline levels were reported at the WTC site after the disaster. Instead, the elevated risk might be attributed to incidental detection as a result of increased medical surveillance. Aims/objectives: To classify the detection method (i.e., incidental vs. symptomatic) of TC cases via chart review, and to describe how incidental and symptomatic cases compare in terms of demographic make up and medical history. Methods/Approach: The study population consisted of 77 FDNY firefighters and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) workers diagnosed with TC post- September 11, 2001 (9/11) and arrived at the disaster site anytime between 9/11 and July 25, 2002. The detection method for TC was defined as symptomatic or incidental based on criteria used by Brito et al. Results: Of the total population, the mean age at diagnosis was 50.2 (+/-10) years and mean time to diagnosis after 9/11 was 10.2 (+/-4.7) years. Information relating to detection method was not found for 43 cases; however, they were demographically similar to the remaining 34 including in age at diagnosis, time to diagnosis, and WTC arrival time. Among the 34 cases for which a detection method was identified, 26 (76%) were incidentally detected and 8 (24%) were symptomatic. Lower respiratory conditions were verified among 69% of incidental cases and 38% of symptomatic cases. Conclusions: The majority of TC cases in which mechanism of detection could be determined were incidentally identified; however, continued exploration of the remaining 43 is warranted and ongoing. Most incidental cases had a WTC related lower respiratory condition, indicating a history of frequent and detailed surveillance of their disease whereby an asymptomatic TC could be unveiled. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aging Demography Emergency Responders Firefighters Neoplasms Occupational Health Radiation Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety September 11 Terrorist Attacks
• Keywords:
  Age Groups Cancer Demographic Characteristics Disaster Sites Emergency Medical Services Workers EMS Fire Fighters Respiratory System Disorders Statistical Analysis Surveillance Thyroid Gland Disorders World Trade Center WTC

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• Publisher:
  Society for Epidemiologic Research
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066510
• Citation:
  52nd Annual Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) Meeting, June 18-21, 2019, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Clearfield, UT: Society for Epidemiologic Research, 2019 Jun; :0040
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20190101
• Source Full Name:
  52nd Annual Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) Meeting, June 18-21, 2019, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• End Date:
  20200630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ffffcb75a6b2fd81e54ff4c8334ae7b0b50d2633c2c238998bb08342ee4bbd776072cc4e281af34192c87b6cedf79d15cf6b293983d66ab88284085270340a1e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/231101/cdc_231101_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 250.90 KB ]