Related Medical Conditions
The vapors produced by Benzene can result in a range of symptoms, including cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. Benzene is known to be responsible for a number of health disorders, and is linked with various types of leukemia among other illnesses. In addition to respiratory problems, skin problems, and blood disorders, the cancers that are linked to benzene exposure include acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Some of the additional symptoms linked to exposure to the chemical include:
- Fatigue
- Malaise (vague feeling of bodily discomfort)
- Abnormal bleeding
- Excessive bruising
- Loss of consciousness
- Damage to nervous system
- Vomiting
- Tremors and convulsions
- Weakness
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Weight loss
- Bone or joint pain
- Infection and fever
- Abdominal pain or “fullness”
- Enlarged spleen, lymph nodes, and liver
Benzene Leukemia and Benzene Cancer
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) – AML is a cancer that starts inside of bone marrow and grows from cells that would normally turn into white blood cells. The abnormal cells inside of the bone marrow grow very quickly and replace healthy blood cells. AML gets worse very quickly if untreated.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) – ALL is acute because it progresses rapidly and affects immature blood cells. ALL is also known as Acute Childhood Leukemia since the disease occurs commonly in children.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) –CML is an uncommon type of blood cancer, a clonal bone marrow stem cell. CML patients have the “Philadelphia Chromosome” that is created when chromosome 22 breaks off and attaches to the end of chromosome 9. CML can be treated with medication which has improved survival rates.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) – CLL comes from a change in one cell, a lymphocyte, which ultimately leads to normal cells being pushed out of the marrow. There is significant evidence of an association between CLL and herbicides used in Vietnam, so veterans are at special risk for this illness.
Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL) – HCL is a rare blood cancer that affects B cells, making them look “hairy.” HCL progresses slowly or not at all. There is no cure for HCL.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) – NHL is a white blood cell cancer that can be subdivided into aggressive NHL and indolent NHL. NHL can be formed from either B cells or T cells and is more common than Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Hodgkin’s Disease or Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – Hodgkin’s is a cancer of the lymphatic system that compromises your body’s ability to fight infection. It is one of the more curable forms of cancer, with survival rates being at 90% if the disease is found early.
Multiple Myeloma – Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow, causing pain in and destruction of bones. Kidney failure is a frequent complication.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) – MDS is also known as “preleukemia” because it is a grouping of blood conditions that risk transforming into AML.