Attention Leukemia Patients

Benzene exposure has been linked to an increased risk of certain types of leukemia, a type of cancer affecting the cells that create blood in the bone marrow and then spreading to the blood and in some cases other parts of the body. AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) , CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) and other blood cancers are typically treated with chemotherapy, or doses of cancer-fighting medications. AML and CLL affect the blood stem cells. In AML, the stem cells intended to become myeloblasts, red blood cells or platelets may be affected. In CLL, the lymphoid stem cells which become lymphoblasts and then B-cells, T-cells, or NK-cells, may be affected.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The primary type of leukemia linked with Benzene exposure is called Acute Myeloid Leukemia, or AML. It is also sometimes referred to by these names: acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. This type of leukemia progresses quickly and starts in early forms of myeloid cells including white blood cells, red blood cells (except lymphocytes), or platelet-making cells.
Who is at Risk for Leukemia from Benzene Exposure?

Those who have been exposed to Benzene either through inhalation or skin contact are at a higher risk for developing AML, and to some extent, CLL. Inhalation is the primary way that Benzene enters the body. The following groups of people are at a higher risk of Benzene exposure:

Those who work with Benzene

* Workers in the rubber industry
* Workers in oil refineries
* Workers in chemical plants
* Workers in shoe factories
* Workers in the oil/gasoline industry
* Those who have inhaled gas fumes
* Those who live or work near an area where Benzene has been released into the air or water or around hazardous waste sites

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