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. 1975 Sep 6;113(5):396–401.

Arsenic and cancer.

R Jackson, J W Grainge
PMCID: PMC1956632  PMID: 125622

Abstract

Palmar and plantar keratoses developed in seven patients many years after ingeston of trivalent inorganic arsenic. Six had basal cell carcinoma (superficial multicentric type in five), carcinoma "in situ" or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Two had systemic carcinoma--one, bilateral breast adenocarcinoma and one, carcinoma of the colon. From these observations and from the findings of a review of the literature, there seems no question that long-term arsenic ingestion can cause palmar and plantar keratoses and skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma of the superficial multicentric type, usually on the torso. It is suspected but not proved to cause other cancers. Although over the last 50 years general exposure to arsenic has greatly decreased, particularly that from insecticides, this element is still found occasionally in drinking water (naturally or as a smelter byproduct), in certain foods and in cigarette smoke.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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