Acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, is a common type of leukemia, according to the National Marrow Donor Program. Bone marrow is responsible for making white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. With AML, the bone marrow produces immature cells that do not form into white blood cells, which are necessary to fight infection. These abnormal cells are called blasts. They grow rapidly and interfere with the production of red blood cells and platelets as well. AML is a life-threatening disease that requires prompt medical treatment.
Significance
AML can occur in any age, but it is most often diagnosed in adults over the age of 65. Cancer.net states that in 2009, an estimated 12,810 individuals in the United States were diagnosed with AML. More men than women are diagnosed with AML.
Causes
Some individuals who develop AML have one or more risk factors, but other individuals have none. The American Cancer Society states the cause of most cases of AML are not known; however, smoking, exposure to certain chemicals including benzene, and treatment with chemotherapy and radiation for other cancers all place a person at higher risk for developing AML. People with certain blood disorders and those with certain syndromes present at birth, including Down syndrome, have a higher risk of AML.
Symptoms
AML causes abnormal levels of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets in the body. White blood cells are responsible for fighting infections and low numbers cause an individual with AML to run fevers and have frequent infections. Low red blood cells lead to anemia, which causes symptoms such as fatigue, pale skin and shortness of breath. Decreased platelets lead to easy bruising and bleeding. The presence of large numbers of leukemia cells can cause joint and bone pain.
Diagnosis
AML is diagnosed in several ways. Abnormal levels of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets from blood tests can indicate AML. A bone marrow test, a procedure in which a sample of bone marrow is taken from the hip bone, confirms the diagnosis of AML. In some individuals a spinal tap, in which fluid is taken from the spinal column, is performed to check for the presence of leukemia cells around the brain and spinal cord.
Treatment
The first phase of AML treatment is called remission induction. Remission induction is the process of using chemotherapy to kill leukemia cells present in the blood and bone marrow. This phase usually lasts a week or two. Remission induction does not kill every leukemia cell, but the remission phase is successful if the number of leukemia cells present is less than 5 percent.
The next phase of treatment is called consolidation therapy or maintenance therapy. According to the American Cancer Society, during the consolidation phase, chemo is given over a period of five days every four weeks for a period of time determined by the patient's doctor. Bone marrow stem-cell transplants can also be performed during consolidation therapy. Before a stem-cell transplant, an individual's bone marrow is destroyed to prevent it from producing leukemia cells. The destroyed marrow is replaced with marrow from a healthy, compatible donor. According to Drugs.com, only 33 percent of individuals under age 65 will survive five years after diagnosis. For individuals over the age of 65, the five-year survival rate is 4 percent.
References
- Drugs.com: Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)-Adult
- National Marrow Donor Program: Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
- American Cancer Society: Typical Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- American Cancer Society: What Are The Risks Factors For Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- The Mayo Clinic: Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
