CYTOGENETICS AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES IN ACUTE NONLYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA AND MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME

Studies on the association between cytogenetic aberrations and environ mental or occupational exposures of patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome were selected from the literatu re and reviewed. Chromosome abnormalities as a whole and specific aber rations involving chromosomes 5, 7, 8, and 21 were considered. Occupat ional exposures were also considered as a whole or, whenever possible, as specific substances. An association between all occupations and an y chromosome aberration has been observed in earlier studies but was n ot confirmed in later studies. Similar results have been observed when specific aberrations, or specific substances (ie, solvents) have been considered. Methodological issues and the comparability of the review ed studies are discussed, and suggestions are made for refining epidem iologic investigations.