Asbestos Fibers and Ferruginous Bodies Detected by VP-SEM/EDS in Colon Tissues of a Patient Affected by Colon-Rectum Cancer: A Case Study

The aim of this work was to inspect the presence asbestos fibers in colon tissue from a patient, with history indirect exposure and affected by cancer, who underwent surgery. Variable pressure scanning electron microscopy, coupled energy dispersive spectroscopy (VP-SEM/EDS), used for identification inorganic their morphological—chemical characterization. Fresh samples both, healthy area close neoplasia neoplastic regions, were separately digested eliminate biological matrix. precipitate analyzed VP-SEM/EDS, identifying bodies small fibers, long asbestos, free covering. A quantification two type specimens is proposed. Moreover, locate medium, histological sections same patient also examined. Free appeared concentrated bridge between areas. Immuno-histochemical investigation performed on seems exclude role microsatellite instability carcinogenesis process, suggesting an influence fibers.