The role of pathologists in the diagnosis of occupational lung diseases: an expert opinion of the European Society of Pathology Pulmonary Pathology Working Group

Calabrese, Fiorella, Montero-Fernandez, M. Angeles, Kern, Izidor, Pezzuto, Federica, Lunardi, Francesca, Hofman, Paul, Berezowska, Sabina, Attanoos, Richard, Burke, Louise, Mason, Paola, Balestro, Elisabetta, Molina Molina, Maria, Giraudo, Chiara, Prosch, Helmut, Brcic, Luka and Galateau-Salle, Francoise 2024. The role of pathologists in the diagnosis of occupational lung diseases: an expert opinion of the European Society of Pathology Pulmonary Pathology Working Group. Virchows Archiv 485 (2) , pp. 173-195. 10.1007/s00428-024-03845-1

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Abstract

Occupational lung/thoracic diseases are a major global public health issue. They comprise a diverse spectrum of health conditions with complex pathology, most of which arise following chronic heavy workplace exposures to various mineral dusts, metal fumes, or following inhaled organic particulate reactions. Many occupational lung diseases could become irreversible; thus accurate diagnosis is mandatory to minimize dust exposure and consequently reduce damage to the respiratory system. Lung biopsy is usually required when exposure history is inconsistent with imaging, in case of unusual or new exposures, in case of unexpected malignancy, and in cases in which there are claims for personal injury and legal compensation. In this paper, we provide an overview of the most frequent occupational lung diseases with a focus on pathological diagnosis. This is a paper that summarizes the expert opinion from a group of European pathologists, together with contributions from other specialists who are crucial for the diagnosis and management of these diseases. Indeed, tight collaboration of all specialists involved in the workup is mandatory as many occupational lung diseases are misdiagnosed or go unrecognized. This document provides a guide for pathologists in practice to facilitate the accurate diagnosis of occupational lung disease. The review article reports relevant topics discussed during an educational course held by expert pathologists, active members of the Pulmonary Pathology Working Group of the European Society of Pathology. The course was endorsed by the University of Padova as a “winter school” (selected project in the call for “Shaping a World-class University” 2022).

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, Type: open-access
Publisher:	Springer
ISSN:	0945-6317
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	19 August 2024
Date of Acceptance:	4 June 2024
Last Modified:	19 Aug 2024 11:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/171466

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