Hairy Cell Leukemia and Ground Water Contamination With Industrial Solvents: a Case Report

The industrial solvents benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE) are known carcinogens, and these solvents contaminated the drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from the 1950s to 1980s. Benzene and TCE are linked to the hematopoietic cancers acute myelocytic and lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We report the case of a veteran stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune during this period who developed hairy cell leukemia (HCL), a rare form of lymphocytic leukemia. We review his presentation, medical history, solvent exposure, and literature on the carcinogenicity of benzene and TCE. This patient represents a possible link of TCE or benzene to HCL. The case also informs clinicians of the updated epidemiology with regards to clinical findings for HCL.