Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer of the immature forms of myeloid cells in the bone marrow. This type of cancer is characterized by abnormal and fast growth of white blood cells within ...

Symptoms

• Fever.
• Bone pain.
• Lethargy and fatigue.
• Shortness of breath.
• Pale skin.
• Frequent infections.
• Easy bruising.
• Unusual bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds and bleeding from the gums.

Causes

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is caused by a DNA mutation in the stem cells in your bone marrow that produce red blood cells, platelets and infection-fighting white blood cells. The mutation causes the stem cells to produce many more white blood cells than are needed.

More about Treatment

Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer of the immature forms of myeloid cells in the bone marrow. This type of cancer is characterized by abnormal and fast growthof white blood cells within the bone marrow that spreads to other parts of the body like liver and spleen. AML is also known as acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.

Diagnosis:

To diagnose AML, a doctor will do blood tests to count the number of white blood cells and to see if they look abnormal under the microscope.

FAQ

What is the treatment given to a patient of Acute Myeloid Leukemia?
The treatment includes induction therapy in which the patient is treated with drugs and the maintenance therapy in which the patient undergoes stem cell transplantation from a healthy donor to completely eradicate the disease.

What are the complications that can arise after the treatment?
There is decrease in the number of WBCs,RBCs and platelets in blood leading to infections, easy bruises and anaemia. Other complications include nausea, vomiting,hair loss, fatigue.

How many days of hospitalization is required?
The patient is required to be hospitalized for upto 5 weeks. 65-75% of patients under the age of 60 years reach complete remission. While 50% of older patients achieve complete remission.

Is this condition life threatening?
The clinical features of AML like anaemia, decreased platelet count, bone pains can pose difficulties for the patient. The harmful cells may reach lymph nodes and invade them. If left untreated, AML is definitely life threatening.

When should I undergo a treatment for AML?
If there is presence of the following symptoms, one should immediately seek medical help:
* Anaemia.
* Fatigue.
* Weight loss.
* Decreased platelet count.
* Infections of sights like skin, lungs, urinary tract.
* Bone pains.
* headache and nausea.
* fever and chest pain.

How is this condition diagnosed?
The blood picture is examined and shows decreased platelet count, decrease in the number of WBCs and there is abnormality in the bone marrow in which normal cells are replaced with cancerous cells.