Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy applied to the analysis of fibers and particles in tissues from colon adenocarcinomas

Abstract

Background: The mineral phases regulated as “asbestos” have a well-known role in disease development in the respiratory tract (e.g. mesothelioma, pulmonary carcinoma, asbestosis), but it is not clear their role in cancer development in other body sites, as in colon-rectum tract. Materials and Methods: In this work, seven colon tissues (healthy and neoplastic portions and an area “bridge” between them) from patients affected by colon adenocarcinoma – and living in a highly asbestos-polluted area - have been digested and the inorganic residual components collected on polycarbonate filters analyzed by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with annexed an Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental chemical analysis. Results: The obtained results allow us to characterize serpentine phases in two of the seven analyzed patients. Moreover, calcium phosphate phases and other metal-rich particles have been observed inside the samples. Conclusions: SEM/EDS allowed us to morphologically observe and chemically analyze not only asbestos phases, but also other inorganic particles inside tissues deriving from colon adenocarcinomas.