As one of many patriotic physicians who headed to Ground Zero after hearing of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, thoracic surgeon Dr. Raja Flores raises new concerns about the aftermath of the tragedy.

Dr. Flores appears to be waiting during the calm before the so-called “second storm” that he believes is about to hit as the presumed rise of mesothelioma cases begins.

During the rescue and cleanup efforts that took place for several weeks after the attacks, workers of all kinds were subjected to a toxic cloud of contaminants that included more than 400 tons of asbestos that had been pulverized following the collapse of the Twin Towers.

“I feel stronger about this today than ever. We’re going to see a very significant rise in [mesothelioma] cases,” said Dr. Flores, Mount Sinai Medical Center’s chief of thoracic surgery.

Individuals who inhale or ingest the microscopic asbestos fibers do not initially show symptoms, as diseases from asbestos typically manifest slowly and the diseases may take decades to appear. Conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer are expected to rise in the near future.

As a mesothelioma specialist with more than two decades’ experience in the treatment of disease related to asbestos exposure, Dr. Flores states that “we’re just scratching the surface” when it comes to the diagnosis of these new mesothelioma cases.

“We’re still waiting for the critical numbers where we’ll be able to prove to the outside world, or to the people who don’t want to see the relationship, that this is unequivocal,” Dr. Flores explained. “We’re starting to see the uptick.”

Mesothelioma Cases on the Rise at WTC Health Program

In the World Trade Center Health Program, over 5400 patients have been diagnosed with cancers related to 9/11 since 2001, with the number tripling in the previous 2.5 years.

The large number of patients includes survivors who worked, lived or went to school in the areas surrounding the World Trade Center as well as emergency responders, volunteers, recovery workers and those responsible for cleanup.

A number of cancers are represented, not just mesothelioma cases. The largest cancer group includes patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (totaling 1707 cases) and prostate cancer (totaling 1140 cases), based on information released from the WTC Health Program.

Other cancers among the top 15 diagnosed at the World Trade Center Health Program include thyroid, stomach, kidney and lung cancers.

Mesothelioma cases are not among the top 15, and this is likely due to the fact that mesothelioma takes so long as it develops and is subsequently diagnosed.

Approximately 10 certified mesothelioma cases are currently seen within the program, but that number is expected to rise.

Dr. Flores anticipates that since the latency period for development of mesothelioma is between two and five decades after exposure, within the next five years, an increase will start to be seen in the WTC Health Program.

“The lung cancers develop differently, quicker than mesothelioma. We’re seeing more lung cancer now, more esophageal. By 20 to 25 years out, it’s going to be real obvious with mesothelioma,” Dr. Flores said.