Simultaneous occurrence of gallbladder cancer in a laundry couple: association between gallbladder cancer and benzene

Korean J Gastroenterol. 2013 Feb;61(2):107-9. doi: 10.4166/kjg.2013.61.2.107.

Abstract

Gallbladder (GB) cancer occurs predominately as a biliary tract malignant tumor. It generally has a very poor prognosis, and early detection is often difficult. A variety of carcinogens have been implicated as an important cause for GB cancer. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen for hematologic malignancy, and its casual relationship with GB cancer has been suggested. We report a case of two patients who had operated a laundry cleaning facility together and later simultaneously got GB cancer after prolonged benzene exposure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma / etiology
  • Benzene / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / etiology
  • Humans
  • Laundering
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Benzene