Symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options for severe blood cancer in adults, known as Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Rewritten Article:
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, is a type of blood and bone marrow cancer that affects people of all ages, but it's most common in adults.
AML occurs when the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells, causing a decrease in healthy blood cells. This potentially life-threatening disease accounts for about 1 in 20 of all cancers and around 1 in 3 leukemia cases in adults. While it can occur at any age, the most common age for AML diagnosis is around 69 years.
AML affects slightly more males than females, but around 50% of both genders will be diagnosed with AML over their lifetime. The incidence rate for AML was 4.2 per 100,000 per year for both males and females between 2017 and 2021.
What is AML?
AML is a cancer of the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. The bone marrow generates blood stem cells, which form blood components like myeloid cells. Over time, myeloid cells develop into different types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
With AML, the bone marrow produces abnormal myeloid cells called myeloblasts, and the number of these abnormal cells increases, pushing out healthy cells. As a result, symptoms like fatigue, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, persistent or recurrent infections, anemia, easy bruising, and bleeding can occur.
Symptoms of AML
Early symptoms of AML may include:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Night sweats
Advanced symptoms might include:
- Anemia, due to a lack of red blood cells, which can lead to fatigue and weakness
- Recurring or persistent infections, resulting from low white blood cell counts
- Easy bruising, bleeding gums, and nosebleeds, due to low platelet counts
Risk Factors for AML
As we age, the risk of developing AML increases. Exposure to certain substances, such as smoking, benzene, formaldehyde, and some chemotherapy drugs, can also raise the risk of AML. Additionally, certain blood disorders and genetic syndromes can increase the likelihood of developing AML.
Genetic disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), Fanconi anemia, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, and down syndrome can increase the risk of AML. Having a family history of AML might also slightly elevate one's risk.
Is AML Hereditary?
While having a close relative with AML might increase the risk, there usually isn't a strong genetic connection in most cases of AML. However, if an identical twin develops AML before the age of one, the risk of their twin developing AML is very high.
How is AML Diagnosed?
Diagnosing AML involves a series of tests. A physical examination is often the first step, followed by medical history and symptom assessment. This initial evaluation may lead to further diagnostic tests, including:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Peripheral blood smear (PBS)
- Flow cytometry
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
- Cytogenetic analysis
- Molecular testing
- Immunophenotyping
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test
These tests help identify and classify AML, as well as determine its subtype.
Treatment for AML
Treatment for AML typically consists of:
- Remission induction therapy: This is the first phase of treatment, aiming to destroy leukemia cells in the bone marrow and blood to put AML into remission.
- Post-remission therapy: Following remission, post-remission therapy seeks to eliminate any remaining cancer cells, preventing a relapse.
Treatment options include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, and participation in clinical trials. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's specific subtype, age, and overall health.
With appropriate treatment, it's possible to achieve remission for many types of AML, and the 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 29%. It's crucial to speak with a healthcare provider for information on treatment options, potential side effects, and available support resources.
For more detailed information, visit resources such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Know AML, and CancerCare.
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a cancer in the bone marrow, accounts for about 1 in 3 leukemia cases in adults, especially in those around 69 years old.
- AML can affect both genders, with 50% of each having a lifetime risk of diagnosis, though males tend to be affected slightly more than females.
- While AML has a potential life-threatening impact, advancements in oncology have led to a 5-year relative survival rate of approximately 29%.
- Differentiating AML early is crucial, as symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and anemia can appear.
- Oncologists often use a combination of diagnostic tools like complete blood count, bone marrow aspiration, and cytogenetic analysis to diagnose AML and determine a suitable treatment plan.
