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Benzene Causes AML Leukemia


Two Types of AML: Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia


While it is often said that benzene causes AML leukemia, that statement needs some explanation as regards when and how this might happen to people.

Benzene exposures in the workplace or on the job site are often described as occupational exposures to benzene.  Examples are breathing in benzene fumes (inhalation exposure) or getting benzene on the skin (dermal absorption).

Workers who had occupational benzene exposures in the past are at an increased risk of developing these two types of leukemia:

  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
  • Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

Besides knowing that benzene causes AML leukemia, it is important to keep in mind that it can take many years from the time when a worker was exposed to benzene in the workplace or on the job site before AML leukemia is diagnosed in the worker.  This situation is referred to in medical terminology as the “latency period”, whereby it can be as much as 30 years from a person’s benzene exposure while working until getting their diagnosis of AML, or some other benzene-related cancer.

Now that you have the basic facts about how benzene causes AML leukemia in some workers many years later, you may be interested in learning more.  For this purpose, we present links to general medical information from the Mayo Clinic about AML leukemia below.


Medical Facts About AML Leukemia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment


Symptoms and Causes

In the early stages of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), symptoms may mimic those of the flu or other common diseases.  However, the symptoms may vary based on the type of blood cell affected.

AML is caused by damage to the DNA of developing cells in the bone marrow. When this happens, the bone marrow produces immature cells that develop into leukemic white blood cells called myeloblasts. These abnormal cells are unable to function properly, and they can build up and crowd out healthy cells.

As for what causes the DNA mutations that lead to leukemia, risk factors include exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene, as well as radiation and some chemotherapy drugs.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Methods of diagnosis Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) include blood tests, which are often followed by a bone marrow test and lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

Blood tests can suggest leukemia, but bone marrow tests are typically used to confirm the diagnosis.  Spinal taps are also used to check spinal cord fluid for leukemia cells.

Factors such as age, overall health, and the subtype of AML will affect the method of treatment.

The two general treatment phases include remission induction therapy and consolidation therapy.

Chemotherapy, other drug therapies, stem cell transplants, and clinical trials are common therapies used in the two aforementioned phases of treatment.


More Information

  • Overview of Benzene Exposures
  • Exposure to Benzene
  • Benzene-Related Diseases
  • Workers Exposed to Benzene
  • Benzene Exposure in Industries 
  • Benzene-Containing Products
  • Frequently Asked Questions

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