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What Kinds of Cancer Can Radon Cause?

Radon is a naturally occurring element that is formed by the decomposition of radium and uranium found in soil and rocks. It is tasteless, odorless, colorless and highly radioactive and contributes significantly to background radiation that human beings are exposed to.

Radon is carcinogenic, as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It accumulates in homes that are devoid of active ventilation and poses a health hazard to its occupants. Radon decays to form radioactive waste, which when inhaled cause damage to the lungs and other vital organs.

A report published by the National Safety Council estimates that radon causes between 14,000 and 30,000 deaths annually in the United States alone.

  1. Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (SCLC)

    • The second leading cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking, is radon poisoning. Smokers are at a greater risk of lung cancer when exposed by the lethal combination of cigarette smoke and radon particles. Radon was identified as being a health hazard when uranium miners, who were exposed to radon, began developing lung cancer. Lung cancer causes approximately 1.3 million deaths globally per year, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

      Small Cell Lung Carcinoma is one of the two main types of lung cancers. SCLC can be either a limited-stage disease (LD) or an extensive stage disease (ED). LD lung cancer involves tumors that are confined to the supraclavicular lymph nodes. ED lung cancer patients have tumors that extend beyond the supraclavicular lymph nodes. ED cancer therapy extends a patient's life by a few months to a year but long-term survival is rare.

    Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC)

    • NSCLC is sub-divided into three types of lung cancers, including large cell lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell lung carcinoma. Squamous cell lung carcinoma accounts for a quarter of all lung cancers. Adenocarcinoma is associated with smokers and non-smokers alike, and radon has been identified as a contributor. It is the most widespread lung cancer. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a type of adenocarcinoma that occurs frequently in non-smoking Asians and women.

    Pleuropulmonary Blastoma (PPB)

    • PPB is a type of malignant lung cancer that occurs most commonly in young children and infants. Its occurrence in adults has been reported only infrequently. Symptoms of PPB include chest pain, shortness of breath and a respiratory tract infection. It has been classified into type I, type II and type III PPB, based on the development of the cancerous mass. PPB caused by radon poisoning is treated by surgery or a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

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