[Endoscopic and morphological characteristics of the bronchi and lungs in asbestosis and dust-induced bronchitis in asbestos-textile industry workers].

A bronchofibroscopy study of cases with histologic investigation of the bronchi and pulmonary mucous biopsy of 29 asbestos-textile workers, revealed diffuse bilateral endo-bronchitis (DBE) with concomitant tracheitis at different stages. No correlation was found between the endoscopy pictures and the clinical manifestations of asbestosis and dust bronchitis. The asbestosis diseased patients displayed pulmonary fibrosis++ without granulomatous inflammation in the asbestos dusts zone. In some cases, bronchial epithelium diffuse metaplasia was diagnosed with some dysplasia elements, as well as papillomatosis and malignant tumours in the lungs. Dust bronchitis++ and asbestosis can perform precancerous conditions in the lungs, what should be taken into account in cancer prevention measures for asbestos industry workers.