What Is Acute Myeloid Leukemia?
Leukemiais acancer in which many of the white blood cells produced in the bone marrow develop abnormally, and are unable to perform their task of fighting infection.Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which involves a particular kind of white blood cell known as a myelocyte, comprises 32 percent of all adult cases, and is the second most common type of leukemia in children.
Signs and Symptoms
Sean Fischer, M.D., medical oncologist and hematologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, notes, “This type of cancer happens very early in the blood cell production cycle. The ‘acute’ designation of AML means that it usually comes on suddenly and causes significant symptoms, creating a life-threatening situation,” whereas chronic leukemias may take more time to develop and have milder symptoms.
The most commonsigns and symptomsof AML are fever, fatigue, easy bruising, general weakness, anemia, and a low blood cell count. Because your immune system is taking such a hit from the abnormal cells—basically, it’s not getting the replenishment of white blood cells that it needs to function properly—you may also experience frequent infections and colds.
The bleeding and bruising is usually related to poorly functioning platelets, the type of blood cells that form blood clots and stop bleeding.
There are several subtypes of AML, Dr. Fischer says, which are diagnosed based on factors like cancer cell maturity and genetic information.
Risk Factors
Although both children and adults can develop AML, it’s most common in adults, particularly those who are older, says Jack Jacoub, M.D., medical oncologist and medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
Men tend to develop AML more than women, and it’s also more likely in smokers, especially those over age 60. Otherrisk factorsinclude previous chemotherapy or radiation treatments, history of childhood leukemia, previous diagnosis of a blood disorder, and potential exposure to certain chemicals like benzene.
Diagnosis
AnAML diagnosisis made first through a blood test that includes information on the number of white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells you have, as well as the amount of hemoglobin—a protein that carries oxygen through your body—in your red blood cells.
如果怀疑白血病，您将通过骨髓抱负和活组织检查，其中少量的骨髓被移除并检查。如果您诊断患有AML，则会建议检测发现癌细胞是否已蔓延到其他区域。根据Jacoub博士的说法，AML的最常见的AML的地方是脊髓，脾脏，脑和肝脏。
Treatment Options
Because it’s a life-threatening form of cancer, AML should be treated immediately, usually through repetitive cycles of chemotherapy, Dr. Jacoub says. Treatment will often depend on the age and health of the patient, he adds.
“年轻人可以忍受大量的骨髓移植治疗，”他说。“老年人有时没有这种宽容，他们没有骨髓储量，你需要成功移植。”
But that doesn’t mean older adults don’t have options. There are targeted therapies and clinical trials, and every treatment is tailored according to patient need, he adds.
