Description

Acute myelogenous leukemia, also known as AML, is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft matter in the interior of the bone where blood cells are made.

The word "acute" in acute myelogenous leukemia means that the disease tends to get worse quickly. It's called myelogenous (my-uh-LOHJ-uh-nus) leukemia because it affects cells called myeloid cells. These usually develop into mature blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. The other type, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also called ALL. Although the AML can be diagnosed at any age, it is less common before the age of 45. AML is also called acute myelogenous leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute leukemia, granulocytic and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Unlike other types of cancer, there are not numbered stages of acute myelogenous leukemia.

Symptoms

The symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia may include:

  • Fever.
  • Pain. Common sites for pain include the bones, stomach, and back.
  • Feeling very tired.
  • Paleness or change in color of the skin.
  • Frequent infections.
  • Easy bruising.
  • Bleeding without a clear cause, such as in the nose or gums.
  • Shortness of breath.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care professional if they continue to symptoms that worry you. Acute myelogenous leukemia the symptoms are similar to many more common diseases, such as infections. The health care professional can check the causes first.

Causes

Often it is not clear what are the causes of acute myeloid leukemia.

Health professionals know that it starts when something causes changes in the DNA inside the cells in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the spongy material inside the bones. It is where blood cells are made.

The changes that lead to acute myeloid leukemia is thought to occur in cells called myeloid cells. Myeloid cells are the bone marrow cells that can become cells of the blood that circulates through the body. Healthy myeloid cells can be:

  • The red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.
  • Platelets help to stop bleeding.
  • White blood cells, which help fight infections.

Every cell in the body contains DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. But when the DNA changes occur in myeloid cells, the changes that are given different instructions. Myeloid cells start to make a lot of extra cells, and does not stop.

The changes in the DNA of the causes of myeloid cells to make a large number of immature white blood cells called myeloblasts. The myeloblasts not work well. Can accumulate in the bone marrow. You can move to the healthy blood cells. Without enough healthy blood cells, you may have low levels of oxygen in the blood-easy bruising, bleeding, and frequent infections.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of acute myeloid leukemia, also called AML, include:

  • Advanced age. Acute myelogenous leukemia is more common in adults 65 years of age and older.
  • Before the treatment of cancer. People who have had certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy may have an increased risk of AML.
  • The exposure to radiation. People exposed to very high levels of radiation, such as a nuclear reactor accident, have a higher risk of developing AML.
  • Hazardous chemical exposure. Certain chemicals, such as benzene, are linked to an increased risk of AML.
  • Smoking cigarettes. AML is linked to cigarette smoke, which contains benzene and other cancer-causing chemicals.
  • Other disorders of the blood. People who have had another blood disorder, such as myelodysplasia, myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and thrombocythemia, are at increased risk of AML.
  • Genetic disorders. Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are associated with an increased risk of AML.
  • The history of the family. People with a close blood relative, such as a brother, father or grandfather with an analysis of blood or bone marrow disorder are at increased risk of AML.

Many people with AML have no known risk factors, and many people who have risk factors never develop cancer.

Diagnosis

Acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis often begins with a test that verifies the presence of bruising, bleeding in the mouth or on the gums, infection, and inflammation of the lymph nodes. Other tests include blood tests and lab tests, bone marrow biopsy, lumbar puncture, and images.

Exams and tests to diagnose acute myelogenous leukemia, also called AML, include:

Blood tests

Blood tests for acute myelogenous leukemia may include a test to count the number of blood cells in a blood sample. This test is called a complete blood count. The results may show too many or too few white blood cells. Often, the test is considered that there are not enough red blood cells and not enough platelets. Another blood test looks for immature white blood cells called myeloblasts in the blood. These cells are not normally found in the blood. But they may occur in the blood of individuals with AML.

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are procedures that involve the collection of cells of the bone marrow. In the bone marrow aspiration, a needle is used to remove a sample of bone marrow fluid. In a bone marrow biopsy, a needle is used to collect a small amount of solid tissue. The samples are usually taken from the hip bone. Samples of going to a lab for analysis.

In the laboratory, the test can find changes in the DNA in the cells of the bone marrow. The changes in the DNA are present in their bone marrow cells are an important part in the diagnosis of AML. The results can help your health care team create a treatment plan.

Lumbar Puncture

Sometimes, a lumbar puncture may be needed if there is concern that the leukemia has spread to the brain and the spinal cord. A lumbar puncture also called a spinal tap. Removes a sample of the fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. A small needle is inserted into the lower back to remove a sample of fluid. The sample is sent to a laboratory.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests create pictures of the body. For AML, the test image you can make images of the brain, if there is a concern that the leukemia cells have spread. Image could include computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. If there is a concern that the leukemia could have spread to another part of the body, the image could be done with a positron emission tomography scan, also called a PET.

Your AML subtype

If you are diagnosed with AML, you may need more laboratory tests to determine its AML subtype. These tests include examination of the blood and bone marrow of the genetic changes, and other signs that indicate specific subtypes of AML. Currently, there are 15 different subtypes. Your AML subtype helps your health professional to determine the best treatment for you.

Treatment

There are many types of treatments exist for acute myelogenous leukemia, also called AML. The treatment depends on several factors, including the subtype of the disease, your age, your general state of health, their prognosis and their preferences.

Generally, the treatment has two phases:

  • Remission induction therapy. This first phase aims to kill leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow. But usually not to destroy all of the leukemia cells. You will need more treatment to prevent recurrence of the disease.
  • Consolidation therapy. This phase is also called post-remission therapy or maintenance therapy. It aims to kill the rest of the leukemia cells. Consolidation therapy is crucial to help reduce the risk of relapse.

The treatments include:

Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. The majority of chemotherapy drugs are given through a vein. Some come in the form of a pill. Chemotherapy is the main type of remission induction therapy. It can also be used for consolidation therapy.

People with AML usually stay in the hospital for a treatment of chemotherapy because the drugs kill many healthy blood cells, while the destruction of leukemia cells. If the first cycle of chemotherapy is not the cause of the remission, they can repeat.

Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs you are given. The common side effects are nausea and hair loss. Serious, long-term complications may include heart disease, lung damage, fertility problems and other types of cancer.

The targeted therapy. Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses drugs that attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, specific treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Their leukemia cells will be tested to see if the targeted therapy may be useful to you. Targeted therapy may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy during the induction treatment.

Bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant, also called a bone marrow stem cell transplantation, involves placing healthy bone marrow stem cells in the body. These cells replace the cells from damage by chemotherapy and other treatments. A bone marrow stem cell transplantation can be used for both remission induction and consolidation therapy.

Before a bone marrow transplant, you receive very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy their leukemia-the production of the bone marrow. After receiving infusions of stem cells from a compatible donor. This is called an allogeneic transplant.

There is a greater risk of infection after transplantation.

Clinical trials. Some people with leukemia choose to enroll in clinical trials to test experimental treatments or new combinations of known therapies.

Alternative medicine

There are alternative treatments that have been found for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia. But the integrative medicine can help you deal with the stress of a cancer diagnosis and the side effects of your treatment.

Alternative treatments that can help relieve the symptoms include:

  • Acupuncture.
  • Exercise.
  • The massage.
  • Meditation.
  • Relaxation activities such as yoga.
  • Art and music therapy.

Coping and support

Acute myelogenous leukemia is a fast-growing cancer that requires quick decision making. The following tips and resources that can help you to deal with:

  • Learn enough about the acute myelogenous leukemia to make decisions about your care.The term leukemia can be confusing, because it refers to a group of cancers that are not the same, except that they all affect the bone marrow and the blood. You can waste a lot of time to research the information that does not apply to your type of leukemia. To avoid that, ask your doctor to write down as many details as possible about your specific condition. To restrict your search to the disease. To search for information in the local library and on the internet. You can begin your search for information with the National Cancer Institute and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
  • Lean on family, friends, and others. Having a support system can help you cope. Obtaining the support of the people close to you, a formal support group or other in front of the cancer.
  • Take care of yourself. It is easy to get caught up in the tests, treatments and procedures. But it is important to take care of himself, not just the cancer. Try to have time for cooking, watching sports or other favorite activities. Get plenty of sleep, see friends, write in a journal and spend time outside if you can.
  • Stay active. Receiving a cancer diagnosis does not mean that you have to stop doing the things you enjoy. If you are feeling well enough to do something, do it. Check with your health care professional about beginning any exercise program.

Learn enough about the acute myelogenous leukemia to make decisions about your care. The term leukemia can be confusing, because it refers to a group of cancers that are not the same, except that they all affect the bone marrow and the blood.

You can waste a lot of time to research the information that does not apply to your type of leukemia. To avoid that, ask your doctor to write down as many details as possible about your specific condition. To restrict your search to the disease.

To search for information in the local library and on the internet. You can begin your search for information with the National Cancer Institute and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with your health care professional if you have symptoms that concern you. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in blood diseases. This type of doctor is called a hematologist.

Appointments can be brief, and there is a large amount of information to analyze. It is a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare:

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet before the test.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that do not seem to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who comes with, you can remember the details that you missed or forgot.
  • Write down your questions .

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions that can help you make the most of your time together. A list of questions from most to least important in case time runs out. For acute myelogenous leukemia, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • What are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • More evidence is needed? Which ones?
  • I need treatment?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment?
  • There is a treatment you think is best for me?
  • I have these other health conditions. How will they affect my treatment and the disease?
  • How will the treatment affect my daily life? Can I keep working?
  • How long is treatment?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • Should I seek a second opinion?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you suggest?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask questions. Be prepared to respond to them can give more time to go through other questions that you have. The questions may include:

  • When did the symptoms begin?
  • Do you have symptoms all the time or once in a while?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, in any case, it improves your symptoms?
  • What, in any case, makes their symptoms worse?

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms. For example, try to take things easy, if you feel very tired.

Symptoms and treatment of Acute myeloid leukemia