[Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei of cultured peripheral lymphocytes in patients with lung cancer, miners and non-mining workers of the tin mine in Yunnan].

Determination of SCE frequency, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus rate of cultured peripheral lymphocytes in 32 patients with lung cancer, 33 miners and 40 non-mining workers in Yunnan Tin Mine was carried out. The results showed that the cancer patients had higher SCE incidence, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus rate, the non-mining workers had the least and miners on an intermediate level. There was a significant difference of SCE, chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus rate between patients and non-mining workers (P less than 0.05-0.01). We also found that miners had a significant higher SCE and chromosomal aberration rate but not micronucleus rate as compared with the non-mining workers. We proposed that some carcinogens present in the Yunnan Tin Mine be responsible for the genetic damages in the miners. Chemical drugs may be considered to contribute to the genetic damage in cancer patients who had a tendency toward an increased SCE, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus rate as compared to the miners, though without reaching a statistical significance. We suggested that combination assay of SCE with chromosomal aberration or micronucleus be an useful index for screening of the high risk population and monitoring the chemical drug prevention of lung cancers in Yunnan Tin Mine.