The familial occurrence of polycythemia vera: report of a father and son, with consideration of the possible etiologic role of exposure to organic solvents, including tetrachloroethylene.

The occurrence of polycythemia vera in a father and son, both of whom had intermittent exposure to organic solvents, including tetrachloroethylene and Stoddard solvent, is reported. Only three other well substantiated familial occurrences of polycythemia vera, none encompassing successive generations, were found among many reported instances.