Top 11 Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
The Main Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia that we should not ignore. Furthermore, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow . Acute Myeloid Leukemia is characterized by an overproduction of immature white blood cells, called myeloblasts or leukemic bursts. These cells crowd the bone marrow , preventing it from making normal blood cells. They can also spread in the bloodstream and circulate around the body. Due to their immaturity, they are unable to function properly to prevent or fight infection.
The inadequate number of red blood cells and platelets made by the bone marrow causes anemia and easy bleeding and/or bruising. Acute Myeloid Leukemia is sometimes called myocytic, myelogenous, or acute granulocytic leukemia.
Causes of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: In most cases, the causes of Acute Myeloid Leukemia remain largely unknown, but they are thought to result from damage to one or more of the genes that normally control the development of blood cells. Research is ongoing all the time into possible causes of this damage and certain factors have been identified that may put some people at increased risk. These include exposure to:
- Very high doses of radiation, either accidentally (nuclear accident) or therapeutically (to treat other types of cancer),
- Industrial chemicals such as benzene over a long period of time, certain types of chemotherapy to treat other types of cancer, and
- Carcinogens in tobacco smoke.
Some people with preexisting blood disorders such as certain myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) or certain genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, Bloom syndrome and Fanconi anemia may have a higher than average risk of developing Acute Myeloid Leukemia . So, check now The Top 11 Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia:
Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The main symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia are caused by the lack of normal blood cells. The main symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia include:
- Anemia due to lack of red blood cells; Causing persistent tiredness , dizziness, paleness, or shortness of breath when physically active;
- fever ;
- Bone pain;
- Easy bleeding;
- Unusual bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds and bleeding gums
- Fatigue;
- Shortness of breathe;
- Frequent or repeated infections and slow healing, due to a lack of normal white blood cells, especially neutrophils;
- Pale skin;
- Frequent infections;
- Enlarged or unexplained bleeding or bruising, due to a very low platelet count.
Other symptoms can include bone pain , swollen lymph nodes, swollen gums, chest pain, and abdominal discomfort due to a swollen bum or liver.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatments: Treatment needs to start soon after diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia as it progresses very quickly. The type of treatment used will depend on a number of factors, including the Acute Myeloid Leukemia subtype , the genetic makeup of the leukemic cells, general health, and age. Chemotherapy is the main form of treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia . Initially, the goal of treatment is to destroy leukemia cells and induce a remission.
This means that there is no evidence of leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow and that normal blood cell production and normal blood counts are restored. Once a remission has been achieved, more chemotherapy is given in an effort to prevent the leukemia from coming back (relapse).
This is called post-remission or consolidation therapy. Chemotherapy is usually given as a combination of drugs, usually over a period of a week or more. In most cases, the drugs are given as infusions through a special line called a central venous catheter, which will be inserted before treatment begins.
People with a subtype of Acute Myeloid Leukemia called acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) may also be treated with a non-chemotherapeutic drug called trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), a derivative of vitamin A, which helps the leukemia cells mature properly. , or die. Occasionally, a stem cell transplant may be used. This increases the chances of a cure for some people with Acute Myeloid Leukemia .