Acute myeloid leukemia in a farmer with long term exposure to pesticides in Korea

Abstract

Rationale: Pesticides are chemical substances used to kill harmful insects, small animals, wild plants, and other unwanted organisms. It has not been clearly demonstrated in myeloid malignancies, particularly acute myeloid leukemia.Patient concerns: A 46-year-old male farmer visited the hospital with chief complaints of multiple purpuric macules on the left upper chest to both leg areas. The patient had been farming lotus roots for 20 years and was exposed to a substantial amount of pesticide without proper personal protective equipment.Diagnoses: The patient was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia by bone marrow biopsy.Intervention: The patient received induction chemotherapy with idarubicin and cytarabine. He has undergone consolidation chemotherapy two more times.Outcomes: He had neutropenic fever as a complication after chemotherapy, but he is doing well with no other symptoms. There has been no abnormality in blood tests since the consolidation therapy, and it has been well maintained in remission. Conclusion:This case report suggests that acute myeloid leukemia is associated with occupational pesticide exposure, along with a review of the literature. The impact of occupational pesticide exposure on myeloid leukemia has not been clearly established, and large-scale studies on the relationship between pesticide use and cancer, including myeloid leukemia, should be conducted.