Workers exposed to asbestos are at increased risk for which of the following tumors?

a. Thoracic mesothelioma

b. Bladder carcinoma

c. Laryngeal carcinoma

Exposure to asbestos fibers or dust markedly increases the risk for neoplastic disease. Among the inorganic carcinogens, asbestos is unusual in its induction of otherwise rare mesotheliomas. In addition to the mesothelioma, workers exposed to asbestos show increased incidence of bladder carcinoma, gastrointestinal tract neoplasms, and laryngeal and esophageal tumors. Clinical and experimental model investigations reveal that asbestos may act as a primary carcinogen or as a cocarcinogen. Thus, individuals who smoke tobacco and are exposed to asbestos fibers increase their risk beyond that associated with the individual susceptibilities.