[Legal cases on the correlation between exposure to asbestos fiber dust and laryngeal cancer].

In Germany the causal relationship between laryngeal carcinoma and occupational exposure to asbestos is under discussion. We report on 30 cases of laryngeal carcinoma for which compensation was considered, since an occupational contact with asbestos was confirmed or suspected. We looked especially for signs of non-tumorous lesions related to asbestos exposure in radiography or CT of the chest. Such signs could be detected in 12 individuals. In Germany compensation for an occupational disease can be granted only, if e.g. the relevance of asbestos exposure is sufficiently probable, with special regard to other noxious influences such as cigarette abuse. Asbestosis of the larynx cannot be diagnosed specifically; we, therefore suggest proving the relevance of asbestos exposure in respect of signs of tumorous or non-tumorous lesions in the chest.