Myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis or Myeloid Metaplasia is a disorder in which fibrous (scar) tissue replaces the blood-producing cells in the bone marrow, resulting in abnormally shaped red blood cells, anemia, and an enlarged spleen.
Myelofibrosis is a rare disease, affecting less than 2 of 100,000 people each year in the United States. It occurs most commonly among people between the ages of 50 and 70. Myelofibrosis may develop on its own (in which case it is also called idiopathic myelofibrosis or agnogenic myeloid metaplasia), may accompany other blood disorders, and may develop as a result of exposure to certain toxic substances, such as benzene and ionizing radiation.
Several case reports of myelofibrosis resulting from benzene exposure have been published in the medical literature.