Exclusive | 9/11 cancers skyrocket nearly 1,700% as toxic toll on survivors surpasses first responders ahead of 25th anniversary

The number of 9/11 cancer victims has skyrocketed 1,680% over the past decade — fueled by rare variations of the disease, according to new statistics released as the grim 25th anniversary of the attacks nears. Cancer certifications among Twin Tower survivors, downtown Manhattan residents and workers on and near The Pile have exploded from 3,204 in 2015 to 57,044 this year, reveal figures compiled by the World Trade Center Health Program.“Sadly, we lose roughly two clients a day and see a new cancer certification every 50 minutes,” said lawyer Michael Barasch, whose firm represents thousands of people enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program.For the first time, the number of cancer cases among survivors who resided, worked or attended school near Ground Zero has now surpassed the amount of emergency responders such as firefighters and police who had prolonged exposure, statistics show.Survivors accounted for 28,913 of the overall cancer cases to date, a staggering 4,066% increase from the 694 cases reported in 2015.Responders made up 28,131 of the cancer cases.A growing number of survivors and responders are meanwhile being diagnosed with rare cancers.For example, there are 82 cases of cancer of the thymus gland, a small organ located in the upper chest behind the breastbone.

Such tumors represent fewer than 1 percent of all cancer cases.There also are 591 cases of neuroendocrine cancers, which are uncommon tumors found most often in the pancreas, bowel, lungs or adrenal glands, affecting the stomach and bowels.The number of such cases jumped 6% from March through June among 9/11 survivors.The Post also previously reported an alarming number of male survivors being stricken with breast cancer after being exposed to the toxic air around Ground Zero.

There are now 188 victims of male breast cancer.There also are 163 victims of brain cancer, an increase of 14 cases, or 9%, in the past quarter.The cancer surge is attributed partly to the advancing age o...