Acute Myeloid Leukemia - OmniMedicalSearch.com

Conditions & Diseases: Cancers

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Acute myeloid leukemia, also called acute myelogenous, acute myeloblastic, acute granulocytic, or acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, is a bone marrow and blood cancer caused by an increased number of myeloblast. Unfortunately, this type of leukemia progresses quickly if not treated.

Normally, the body produces three types of blood cells, called mature blood cells.

Red blood cells, which carry the oxygen to all the body tissues.
White blood cells, which fight against infections.
Platelets, which control the bleeding by forming blood clots.

Mature blood cells develop from immature bone marrow cells called stem cells. When acute myeloid leukemia occurs, too many bone marrow stem cells develop into myeloblasts (a type of white blood cells). This phenomenon is caused by a genetic mutation in the stem cell's DNA, mutation that is not present at birth, and it can develop at any time during the life span.

There are two types of acute myeloid leukemia:

I. Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Medical researchers could not identify the exact causes of acute myeloid leukemia, but the evidence from clinical trials and medical experience built up over time reveals a strong connections between several risk factors and childhood acute myeloid leukemia. These risk factors include:

Family history: If there is a sibling with leukemia
Race: AML is more common among Hispanics.
Being exposed to cigarette smoke or alcohol before birth
Chemotherapy or medical treatment with drugs that weaken the immune system.
Exposure to ionizing radiation.
Exposure to chemicals
Genetic medical disorders (ex: Down syndrome)
Having a medical history of myelodysplastic syndrome (also called pre-leukemia) or aplastic anemia

The symptoms can vary from patient to patient depending on the number of leukemia cells and the area of the body where the leukemia cells collect. The most common symptoms include:

Fever with or without infection
Breathing difficulties (short breathing)
Feeling tired
Weakness
Easy bleeding and brushing
Small red spots beneath the skin
Bone or joint pain
Discomfort below the ribs (pain or fullness sensations)
Painless blue or purple lumps (called leukemia cutis) in the neck, underarms, stomach, groin or eyes area.

Once the leukemia was diagnosed, medical tests are conducted to establish the leukemia stages (the extend or spread of leukemia). Childhood acute myeloid leukemia is not classified through any standard staging system, but is divided in three phases:

1. Untreated: In this phase, leukemia has just been diagnosed and the treatment has focused only to relieve symptoms like fever, pain, and bleeding. The main characteristics of this phase are: 1) more than 20 percent of the bone marrow cells are leukemia cells, and 2) some leukemia signs and symptoms are presents.

2. Remission: In this phase, leukemia has been treated. The main characteristics of this phase are: 1) less than 5 percent of the bone marrow cells are leukemia cells, and 2) there are no more signs and symptoms of leukemia.

3. Recurrent: In this phase, leukemia has recurred (relapsed, came back) after it was treated.

II. Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia is the most common form of leukemia in adults.

Although scientists do not know what causes leukemia, medical researchers have identified a number of factors that may place a person at increased risk for acute myeloid leukemia. These risk factors include:

Gender: AML is more common among males.
Past medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Being an active smoker, especially after the age of 60.
Being treated for childhood acute myeloid leukemia in the past.
Having a medical history of blood disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome (also called pre-leukemia).
Exposure to high doses of radiation (like atomic bomb).
Exposure to chemicals.

Some of the most common symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia are:

Fever
Breathing difficulties (short breathing)
Easy bleeding when brushing
Small red spots beneath the skin
Feeling tired
Weakness
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite

Once the leukemia is diagnosed, medical tests are conducted to establish the leukemia stages (the extent or progression of the disease). Adult acute myeloid is not classified through any standard staging system, but is divided in three phases:

1. Untreated adult AML: In this phase, leukemia has been diagnosed and the treatment focuses only on relieving the symptoms (fever, bleeding, and pain). The main characteristics of this phase are: 1) around 20 percent of the bone marrow cells are leukemia cells, and 2) some leukemia signs and symptoms are present.

2. Adult AML in remission: In this phase, leukemia has been treated. The main characteristics of this phase are: 1) less than 5 percent of the bone marrow cells are leukemia cells, and 2) there are no signs or symptoms of leukemia.

3. Recurrent AML: In this phase, leukemia has recurred (relapsed) after it was treated.

Article by Alina Morrow, MS
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com