What is a known carcinogen of leukemia?
IARC classifies benzene as “carcinogenic to humans,” based on sufficient evidence that benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML). IARC also notes that benzene exposure has been linked with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
What is latent period?
Listen to pronunciation. (LAY-ten-see PEER-ee-ud) The time that passes between being exposed to something that can cause disease (such as radiation or a virus) and having symptoms.
What kind of radiation exposure causes leukemia?
Ionizing radiation: In contrast, ionizing radiation has been linked to leukemia. 11 This type of radiation has much more energy—enough to break certain chemical bonds, remove electrons from atoms, and damage DNA in cells.
Does radon cause leukemia?
Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer, the only cancer proven to be associated with inhaling radon. There has been a suggestion of increased risk of leukemia associated with radon exposure in adults and children; however, the evidence is not conclusive.
Can chemotherapy cause leukemia later in life?
While the benefits of chemotherapy usually far outweigh the risks, some chemotherapy drugs can predispose a person to leukemia later on. 19 This is true even for the drugs commonly used for early-stage breast cancer. For most of these drugs, the risk begins to increase two years after treatment and peaks between five and 10 years after treatment.
What is the average age of diagnosis for leukemia?
In adults, leukemia is most common in people older than 55 years, with the average age of diagnosis being 66 years. It is also one of the most common cancers in children and adults younger than 20 years.
How long does it take for cancer to develop after exposure?
It can take many years between an exposure and the later development of cancer. You may have heard about people being exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma many years later. The case is similar when it comes to cigarette smoking and lung cancer.
What increases the risk of developing leukemia?
Medical therapeutic radiation: Radiation therapy for cancer can increase the risk of developing leukemia (especially AML), with the risk highest in the period five to nine years after radiation. 15 The risk varies with the site of radiation as well as the dose used.