Vol. 8 No. 77 (2026): March
Artículos

Occupational lung carcinoma associated with silica pneumoconiosis in a steel worker: a case report

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  • Maria Fernanda Rivera Silva,
  • Carolina Álvarez Chaparro,
  • Betsabe Sahori Juarez Leaños
Maria Fernanda Rivera Silva
Residente de Medicina del Trabajo y Ambiental, IMSS
Carolina Álvarez Chaparro
Residente de Medicina del Trabajo y Ambiental, IMSS
Betsabe Sahori Juarez Leaños
Especialista en Medicina del Trabajo y Ambiental, IMSS
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51896/rilcods.v8i77.1183

Published 2026-04-01

Keywords

  • occupational exposure,
  • pneumoconiosis,
  • silica,
  • carcinoma,
  • hygiene,
  • prevention
    • ...More
    Less

How to Cite

Rivera Silva, M. F., Álvarez Chaparro, C., & Juarez Leaños, B. S. (2026). Occupational lung carcinoma associated with silica pneumoconiosis in a steel worker: a case report. Desarrollo Sustentable, Negocios, Emprendimiento Y Educación, 8(77), 72–83. https://doi.org/10.51896/rilcods.v8i77.1183
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Introduction: Silica found in rocks, soil and sand is a raw material in the construction, steel and mining industries. Prolonged inhalation of silica in the form of dust particles causes pneumoconiosis, is associated with pulmonary fibrosis and, together with smoking, increases the risk of lung cancer. Case presentation: We present the case of a 59-year-old man, a smoker (17 pack-years), with 29 years of continuous exposure to silica dust as a steelwork worker. He was diagnosed with silica pneumoconiosis and subsequently developed lung cancer. The relevance of the case lies in the interaction of occupational and personal factors that influenced the onset and progression of lung damage. Objective: The objective is to highlight the importance of safe working conditions and periodic health surveillance in workers exposed to chemicals, as well as to emphasize the need for effective preventive measures such as environmental monitoring and application of a risk control pyramid in order to prevent consequences on worker health. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, and interpretive case study was conducted over a period of time. Conclusion: The case described supports the relationship between prolonged occupational exposure to crystalline silica, pneumoconiosis, and the subsequent development of lung cancer in a steelworker. This finding raises awareness of occupational risks and underscores the need to apply current regulations for the prevention of chemical contaminants.

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