P-495 Primary Lung Cancer and Occupational Exposure in a Southern Tunisian Population

Introduction Lung cancer is considered the most common occupational cancer. The aim of this study is to identify the occupational exposures responsible for primary lung cancer in patients from southern Tunisia. Methods Any incident of primary bronchial cancer in the Pneumology Department of the CHU Hédi Chaker in Sfax was included in the study. Exposure to occupational respiratory carcinogens was investigated on the basis of a standardized occupational questionnaire. If the various conditions set out in the list of the Tunisian tables of occupational diseases were fulfilled, a declaration of occupational disease was made. Results Our study lasted one year and included seventy patients. Our sample was predominantly male (94.28%). Mean age was 62.81 ± 9 years. The proportion of smokers or ex-smokers was 94.30%. The most frequent histological type of lung cancer was adenocarcinoma (44.2%). Occupations were manual in 95.60% of cases. Construction (35.29%) and agriculture (23.52%) were the most common sectors. Occupational exposure to a respiratory carcinogen was noted in 65% of cases. The most frequently encountered carcinogens were crystalline silica (17.64%) and diesel exhaust (13.23%). Four patients were considered to suffer from a compensable occupational disease. Discussion Lung cancer is the most common form of occupational cancer. However, under-reporting may represent unrecognized injuries that especially burden precariously employed workers as financial, health and social. Conclusion The medico-legal management of lung cancer can lead to a more effective policy of identifying occupational exposure to lung carcinogens.