Intracellular heavy metal nanoparticle storage: progressive accumulation within lymph nodes with transformation from chronic inflammation to malignancy

Figures & data

Table 1 Type, chemical composition, and size of particles identified in lymph node samples*

Samples	Diagnosis	Chemical composition of particles	Size (μ)
Right inguinal lymph node (1993)	Reactive lymphadenitis, no lymphoma	Calcification Ca, C, O, P, S, Si, Mg, Cl, N, Na; gold compound C, Au, O, Cl, N, Ca, Na, Fe, Cu, Ni	Agglomerate 1.00–2.00
Left lymph node in groin area (1994)	Hodgkin’s lymphoma	Calcification C, Ca, O, Si, Al, P, Cl, S, Mg; chromium compound C, O, Cr, N, Cl, S, P; iron compounds C, Fe, O, Cl, S, Si, Ca, P, Ba, C, O, Fe, S, N, P, Cl, Si, Al, Cu, Ca, Sn, Zn	5.00 2.00 1.00 1.5
Bone marrow biopsy (1994)	Bone marrow biopsy revealed an active inflammatory process	Stainless steel C, O, Fe, Cr, Cl, P, N, S, Si, Ni; calcification C, Ca, O, S, P, N; iron compound Fe, C, Si, O, Ca, Cl, S, Mn, P, Cu, N	0.2–5 1–4 2–4

* Note: Elements are shown according to the energy dispersive spectroscopy peaks, from highest to lowest.

Figure 1 The microphotograph shows two submicronic particles (the white spots) embedded in the left lymph-node biopsy sample. The EDS spectrum shows the chemical composition: carbon, oxygen, chromium, phosphorus, sulfur, and chlorine.

Figure 2 The microphotograph shows the analyses carried out on the right lymph-node with the EDS spectrum on the chemical composition of the debris. Nanoparticles of iron, chromium, and silicon are identified.

Figure 3 The bone marrow sample shows the presence of many nanoparticles (range 150 nm–5 μm) composed of iron, chromium, and nickel, namely debris of stainless steel.