Brazilian Thoracic Society recommendations for the diagnosis and monitoring of asbestos-exposed individuals

• Published in: Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia Vol. 50; no. 3; p. e20240156
• Main Authors: Santos, Ubiratan Paula, Algranti, Eduardo, Capitani, Eduardo Mello De, Prado, Gustavo Faibischew, Carneiro, Ana Paula Scalia, Rodrigues, Sílvia Carla Sousa, Freitas, Jefferson Benedito Pires de, Chate, Rodrigo Caruso, Mizutani, Rafael Futoshi, Castro, Hermano Albuquerque de, Arbex, Marcos Abdo, Ribeiro, Patrícia Canto, Tietboehl Filho, Carlos Nunes, Castellano, Maria Vera Cruz de Oliveira, Leite, Guilherme Ward, Almeida, Gustavo Corrêa de
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia 2024
• Subjects: Asbestos - adverse effects; Asbestosis - diagnosis; Asbestosis - diagnostic imaging; Asbestosis/prevention & control; Brazil; Environmental exposure; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Occupational exposure; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM; Societies, Medical; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Brazil; Environmental exposure; Asbestosis/diagnosis; Asbestosis/prevention & control; Occupational exposure
• ISSN: 1806-3756; 1806-3756
• DOI: 10.36416/1806-3756/e20240156

Asbestos was largely used in Brazil. It is a mineral that induces pleural and pulmonary fibrosis, and it is a potent carcinogen. Our objective was to develop recommendations for the performance of adequate imaging tests for screening asbestos-related diseases. We searched peer-reviewed publications, national and international technical documents, and specialists' opinions on the theme. Based on that, the major recommendations are: Individuals exposed to asbestos at the workplace for ≥ 1 year or those with a history of environmental exposure for at least 5 years, all of those with a latency period > 20 years from the date of initial exposure, should initially undego HRCT of the chest for investigation. Individuals with pleural disease and/or asbestosis should be considered for regular lung cancer monitoring. Risk calculators should be adopted for lung cancer screening, with a risk estimate of 1.5%.