Malignant Neoplasms of the Trachea
Years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in Lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and the wreckage site in Shanksville, PA, researchers noticed a sharp increase in the number of head and neck cancers diagnosed in individuals who lived, worked, or attended school near those locations on 9/11 or during the many months afterward. This increase was most prevalent in rescue workers who were over 55, non-Hispanic white, and serving in a military or protective service position during the rescue and recovery efforts — but has also been found in many non-responders including downtown NYC workers and residents. One of the types of head and neck cancers in which there is a noticeable increase in cases among 9/11 first responders is malignant neoplasms of the trachea.