title: Chronic myelogenous leukemia and benzene exposure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the case-control literature.
abstract: Benzene exposure is well demonstrated as a cause of acute myelogenous leukemia, but not of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Previous literature reviews based on case series and cohort studies have not shown an association. We have now conducted a literature search for case-control studies that examine the association between benzene exposure and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Six case-control studies have been found. These derive from occupational groups, cancer registries, and a clinical laboratory. Their exposure ascertainments are all based on job histories, job-exposure matricies, or industrial hygiene data. The odds ratios (ORs) for individual studies range from 0.73 to 1.2. The pooled OR is 1.003 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.94-1.07 (p=0.98) for both a fixed effects model and a random effects model. The case-control literature indicates that chronic myelogenous leukemia does not appear to be related to benzene exposure.
authors.affiliation: Consultants in Epidemiology and Occupational Health (CEOH), Washington, DC 20016, United States. steve@ceoh.com
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lamm
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Kiran P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Byrd
authors.forename: Rusan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure
chemical_list: D001554:Benzene