Benzene Exposure and Its Relation to Multiple Myeloma 325-329
Correspondence
Dr. Sanjeev Chandra Joshi. Lecturer and Consultant in Oncology, Advanced medical and dental institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 29, Lorong Bertam Indah 4-9, Taman Bertam Indah, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Tel.: +6 045741887 (ext-115); e-mails: scjoshi71@hotmail.com, scjoshi@amdi.usm.edu.my
The positive epidemiological evidence for benzene as a risk factor for multiple myeloma is supported by biological plausibility. According to the investigators, findings are consistent with previous reports 9of haematological malignancies following occupational exposure to benzene and definitely raise the possibility that multiple myeloma could also be linked to benzene exposure. This does not necessarily mean that any increase in the incidence of multiple myeloma in recent years can necessarily be ascribed to benzene exposure, but it raises the issue that needs to be further investigated for relation between benzene exposure and multiple myeloma.