Benzene Exposure and Aplastic Anemia Followed by Leukemia 15 Years Later

A painter who was exposed to benzene for 13 years developed a hypocellular bone marrow and pancytopenia. During the 15 years after recovery from aplastic anemia, there were found in the peripheral blood leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. Night sweats, petechiae, splenomegaly, and pancytopenia prompted examination of the marrow, which was found to be characteristic of acute myelogenous leukemia.