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MEDICAL REPORTS & INFORMATION |
As we connect our stories, we become united in circumstance, and those who blaze the trail before us can lead us to a united purpose where those affected receive benefits, and those, who may become the newest victims, are protected. MEDICAL INFORMATION The medical information and links encompass a discussion of cancer, of which a specific type has been found to be caused by chemical exposure. The sources serve to help the reader make the medical connection between exposure and the development of AML, cancers and other illnesses, and also information that may lead the reader to make other assumptions based on their particular medical findings. The research began in response to the V.A.’s ruling CFR3.307 which asserts that AML and other cancers can not be considered service related unless they manifest within one year of the veteran’s last date of service. This policy effectively excludes most cancers resulting from exposure incidents. AML and other cancers that are extremely aggressive can manifest as early as 6 to 18 months of exposure, whereas many cases result in disease after that anywhere from 18 months to over 5 years. If the Veterans Administration routinely denies medical and death benefits for AML and cancer which have manifested 12 months after the veterans last date of service, then they are effectively discriminating and avoiding responsibility of almost all cancer related illnesses caused by serving in the Gulf Wars. If cases of AML and other cancers resulting from exposure incidents in the Gulf Wars could be identified, then future mishaps could be prevented. In disease that resulted within the one year time frame, it has been stated that patients who died before the development of identifiable cancer, died to the extreme exposure to the chemical(s), skipping the development of cancer. Although cancer appears to be a response to less-extreme exposure, acute myeloid leukemia with a specific karotype, has been associated with chemical exposure which results in a specific mutation of the chromosomes, resulting in the development of a very aggressive leukemia in which the prognosis is not favorable. If the connection between cancer and service could be validated, then benefits that are rightly due to our service men and women, Department of Defense employees, and their families could be restored, and an effort to prevent future cases and save future lives could be made. Below is a list and brief abstract of articles and sources used in pursuing benefits for one of our American soldiers, of which he is not alone. We believe there are many cases, noted in statistics, but not in a single source as to exactly how many or for whom. Time becomes precious in these cases and it is always the hope that those responsible would recognize the urgency and take swift and effective action, identify probable sources, and properly dispose of, or permanently secure sources of chemical exposure to safeguard civilians and service men and women alike. We owe it to those who served, to those people who call it their home, to those neighbors we call friends, and to the Earth STATISTICS & ARTICLES 1. Chromosome Analysis Report FAB Classification Of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Correlation Between Morphologic Subtypes Of AML And Recurring Chromosomal Translocations 2. “ Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) develops as the consequence of a series of genetic changes in a hematopoietic precursor cell….nature of, molecular genetics of acute myeloid leukemia, other fusion genes in AML…” Link to article. Linked with permission of www.UpToDate.com, a medical journal.
Densely Ionizing Radiation: an m FISH Study” Genes, Chromosomes, and Cancer 44:1-9 (2005). Source: http://www.columbia.edu/~djb3/papers/gcc1.pdf 4. “Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics on Oncology and Haematology” – Identity of leukemia, chromosomal structure, and diagnostics of M5, M5a. Source: www.atlasgeneticsoncology.org/Anomalies/t0911.html 5. “Radiation Effects Research Foundation”, Chromosome abnormalities. http://www.rerf.or.jp/radefx/late_e/chromoab.html. 6. “Leukemia After Exposure to Benzene: Temporal Trends and Implications for Standards” from the American Journal of Industrial Medicine 38:1, 1-7 (2000). Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10861761. 7. "Chromosomal Aberrations in Humans Induced by Benzene” from the Ann Agric Environ Med 2004, 11, 175-279. http://www.aaem.pl/pdf/11175.pdf. 8. "Effects of Benzene on Human Hematopoiesis” from The Open Hematology Journal, 2008, 2, 87-102. Hematology Section, Institute of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. Source: http://www.bentham.org/open/tohj/openaccess2.htm 9. “MLL Gene Alterations in Radiation-Associated Acute Myeloid Leukemia” from Experimental Oncology, 2005, 27, 1, 000-000. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15812362 10.“Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology” diagnostics on 11q23 rearrangements in therapy related leukaemias. Source: http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/Anomalies/11q23secondLeukID1131.html. 11.“Leukemia risks in atomic-bomb survivors” from Radiation Effects Research Foundation. Source: http://www.rerf.or.jp/radefx/late_e/leukemia.html 12.“Therapy-related myeloid leukaemia: a model for leukemogenesis in humans” Source: http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16869386 13.“Rearrangement of the MLL gene in acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemias with 11q23 chromosomal translocations” from Medline Abstracts for References 63, 212, 213. Source: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/329/13/909 14.“Leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes secondary to drug, radiation, and environmental exposure” from Medline Abstracts for References 55, 69. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1736370 15.“Radiation-induced leukemia at doses relevant to radiation therapy: modeling mechanisms and estimating risks” from Medline Abstracts for Reference 73. Source: http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/98/24/1794 16. “Benzene and leukemia, A review of the literature and a risk assessment” from Medline Abstracts for References 80, 81. Source: http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pdf_extract/127/3/419 17. “Causes of AML Leukemia” from http://www.aml-leukemia.com/causes-of-aml-leukemia.cfm. Last accessed on 8/13/2008. Source: http://www.aml-leukemia.com/causes-of-aml-leukemia.cfm 18.“Incidence of haematopoietic malignancies in US radiologic technologists,” from the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA Source: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112703221/abstract 19. Key publications by Martyn T. Smith, PhD., Professor of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360. Link to source material: http://coeh.berkeley.edu/people/faculty/smithmartyn.htm 20. “Chromosome Aberration Analysis in Peripheral Lymphocytes of Gulf War and Balkans War Veterans” by H. Schroder, et. al. Source: http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/3/211 21. Statement by Sergiu Klymenko, MD, based on the information received about Matt Bumpus, a soldier in Iraq, in which he gives his opinion regarding chemo/radiation induced AML, and the latency period. "I would rather state that secondary (chemo/radiation-induced AML)) is likely to have the latency period longer than 1 year (http://ww.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pubmed/10745624?ordinalpos=24&itool=EntrezSystem2. PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum.) The maximum excess of secondary AML is observed at 5-7 years after treatment with alkylating agents and radiation exposure and at 0.5 - 5 years after chemotherapy with DNA Topoisomerase II inhibitors. The very good overview was published by Appelbaum FR, Le Beau MM, Willman C. White cells: secondary leukemia. Hematology (Am Soc Hematol Educ program). 1996: 33-47. You might try the other publications by these authors. In case you know the radiation dose, which [was] received, you may discuss the chances of his AML being truly radiation-induced. The overexposure by 1 Gray increases the risk of getting leukemia by a factor of app. 4." 22. Effects Of Benzene on Human Hematopoiesis, pp.87-102 (16) Authors: Jorunn Kirkeleit, Trond Riise, Bjorn Tore Gjertsen. Source: http://www.bentham-open.org/pages/content.php? TOHJ/2008/00000002/00000001/87TOHJ.SGM 23.Questions regarding AML, exposure and chromosome abnormalities” from Chem Biol Interact, 2005 May 30; 153-154: 187-95. Epub 2005 Apr 13. Source: http://cat.inist.fr/aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16869386 24.“CIA Report on Intelligence Related to gulf War Illnesses, 2 August 1996. Source: http:// gulflink.osd.mil/cia_report/102496_war.html. Last accessed on 8/18/2008. 25.“Leukemia Outbreak Among Troops Causes turmoil in Nato” posted 1/7/01. Source: http://www.iacenter.org/depleted/du_eur.htm. Last accessed on 8/12/2008. 26. “Leukemia Risks in Atomic-bomb Survivors, accessed on 8/29/2008 from http://www.rerf.or.jp/radefx/late_e/leukemia.html. 27. “Bier VII: Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation” published by the National Academy of Sciences, Report in Brief. http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11340&page=R13. 28.“Therapy – related Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A large-scale Japanese study of clinical and cytogenetic features as well as prognostic factors. From http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200016/000020001600A0327247.php 29. Answers from Health Physics Society’s Ask the Experts. See below response regarding radiation-induced leukemia, exposure and appearance of disease. Physician states when asked about the latency period of exposure to disease: "First, let me caution you that I am not familiar with the requirements of the Veterans Administration compensation program. However, I note that you stated that the basis for denying your claim was that 'the disease did not manifest within one year from the date of separation of service.' This is not the same thing as "within one year of exposure," and may be an administrative requirement rather than a requirement based on scientific plausibility, however you would have to get that clarification from the VA. I can tell you that the latency period (the time between radiation exposure and appearance of the disease) for radiation-induced cancer is almost always longer than one year. For radiation-induced leukemia following an acute exposure, the peak occurrence is about 5 years. This has been observed, for example, in the Japanese atomic bomb survivors." Brant Ulsh, PH.D., CHP 30.“Report: Army Making Toxic Mess in War Zones”, Stars and Stripes. The Independent news Source for the U.S. Military Community. Source: http://www.stripes.com/search.asp 31. “25 of 41 Ordered Incinerators are now in place on Iraq bases”, Stars and Stripes. The Independent news Source for the U.S. Military Community. Source: http://www.stripes.com/search.asp 32. “Burn Pit at Balad Raises Health Concerns.” Stars and Stripes. The Independent news Source for the U.S. Military Community. Source: http://www.stripes.com/search.asp 33. Correspondence regarding time-frame between radiation exposure and manifestation of diseases. "Thank you for your inquiry [to research-info@rerf.jp] our website concerning the time frame between radiation exposure and manifestation of disease. It is very difficult to answer your question briefly, but there are two major categories for radiation health effects on humans, i.e., acute radiation effects and late radiation effects. Illnesses collectively called 'acute radiation syndrome' occur within a few hours to months after exposure to high-dose radiation (from approximately 1-2 Gy to 10 Gy). The principal signs and symptoms include vomiting within a few hours, followed within days to weeks by diarrhea, reduced blood cell counts, bleeding, hair loss (epilation), and temporary male sterility. If the radiation dose is low, the syndrome will seldom if ever occur. Conversely, if the dose is high, death can occur within 10 to 20 days after exposure due to severe intestinal damage, or subsequently within one or two months, mostly from bone marrow failure. Radiation cataract causes partial opacity or cloudiness in the crystalline lens and results from damaged cells covering the posterior surface of the lens. Symptoms can appear as early as one to two years following high-dose exposure and many years after exposure to lower doses. Late radiation effects did not appear immediately after exposure, but were seen after certain time intervals. Excess leukemia risk started to increase two or three years after exposure, reached a peak after five to ten years, and decreased thereafter. On the other hand, excess solid cancer risk started to increase about ten years after exposure and has continued to increase with time. Solid cancers include those of urinary bladder, best, lung, ovary, thyroid, large intestine, esophagus, stomach, liver, and skin. For more details, please refer to the descriptions in our website at the following address: http://www.rerf.jp/radefx/index_e.html." 34. A Chromosome Analysis Report. It is a report based on the Chromosome Analysis done on Matthew Bumpus just after diagnosis of AML and prior to treatment. The report specifically links why the chromosome damage is most likely caused by chemical exposure. The resources contained on this website are being used to plead Matt’s case to the V.A., because of the denial of benefits for his surviving family. Hopefully this information will be helpful to others who are pursuing their benefits which have been denied, unjustly. This report is an excellent resource, as it describes the medical condition in layman’s terms and draws the correlation we have discovered, which is exposure equals cancer. (We are obtaining permission for this report.) 35. Medline Abstracts: Implication of prior treatment with drug combinations including inhibitors of topoisomerase II i therapy-related monocytic leukemia with a 9;11 translocation. Source: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112703221/abstract |
