adult acute monocytic leukemia

Adult Acute Monocytic Leukemia (AML-M5) Overview

Adult acute monocytic leukemia, also known as AML-M5, is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of immature white blood cells called monocytes.

Key Characteristics:

• Diagnosis: AML-M5 is diagnosed when 80% or more of all nucleated cells in the peripheral blood or bone marrow are of monocytic origin, with at least 20% being blasts (immature cells).
• Cancer Type: AML-M5 is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is a rare cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood.
• Symptoms: Common symptoms include fever, pain in bones, back, or stomach, feeling very tired, and paleness or change in skin color.

Causes and Risk Factors:

While the exact causes of AML-M5 are not well understood, it is believed to result from genetic mutations that affect the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy blood cells. Certain risk factors may contribute to the development of this disease, but more research is needed to confirm these associations.

Treatment Options:

Treatment options for adult acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5) include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant. The goal of treatment is to induce remission, which means eliminating or reducing the number of cancer cells in the body.

References:

• [1] Acute monoblastic and monocytic leukemia are myeloid leukemias in which the peripheral blood or bone marrow has greater than or equal to 20% blasts (including ...).
• [2] Acute monocytic leukemia is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is denoted as AML-5 or M5.
• [7] Symptoms · Fever. · Pain. Common places for pain include the bones, back and stomach. · Feeling very tired. · Paleness or change in skin color.
• [9] Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is cancer that starts inside bone marrow. This is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells. The ...

Common Signs and Symptoms

Adult acute monocytic leukemia (AML) can manifest in various ways, affecting different aspects of a person's health. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Fatigue: Feeling extremely weak or tired is one of the most prevalent symptoms, often accompanied by a lack of energy [1].
• Pain: Pain can occur in various parts of the body, including bones, back, and stomach [5].
• Fever: A high temperature can be a sign of infection or inflammation in the body [2][5].
• Pale skin: A decrease in red blood cell count can cause pale or washed-out skin tone [1][7].
• Bruising easily: Easy bruising or bleeding can occur due to low platelet counts or impaired clotting mechanisms [3][4][7].
• Petechiae: Small, pinpoint spots under the skin (petechiae) can appear as a result of blood vessel damage [4][8].

Other Possible Symptoms

In addition to these common signs and symptoms, other possible manifestations of adult acute monocytic leukemia include:

• Headache
• Weakness in one side of the body
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Bleeding from the nose
• Heavy menstrual periods

It's essential to note that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms, and their severity can vary greatly from person to person. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References:

[1] Aug 24, 2021 — All About Acute Monocytic Leukemia [2] Feb 27, 2024 — Symptoms caused by high numbers of leukemia cells [3] Symptoms [4] Fatigue; Weakness; Shortness of breath during normal physical activities ; Bruising easily; Pinhead-sized red spots on the skin, called “petechiae”; Prolonged ... [5] Oct 25, 2024 — Symptoms [7] Oct 14, 2024 — Signs and symptoms of AML [8] Possible signs of adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Diagnostic Tests for Adult Acute Monocytic Leukemia

Adult acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5) is a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer that affects the monocytes, a type of white blood cell. Diagnosing AML-M5 requires a combination of physical examination, medical history, and various laboratory tests.

Physical Examination A thorough physical examination is essential to identify any signs or symptoms associated with AML-M5. This may include:

• Bruising or bleeding in the mouth or gums
• Infection
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Enlarged spleen

Laboratory Tests Several laboratory tests are used to diagnose AML-M5, including:

• Blood tests: Blood counts and differential analysis can help identify abnormalities in white blood cells.
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: These tests involve removing a sample of bone marrow from the hipbone using a needle. The sample is then examined under a microscope for any signs of cancerous cells.
• Genetic tests: Molecular markers such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or NGS (next-generation sequencing) can help identify specific genetic mutations associated with AML-M5.

Imaging Tests In some cases, imaging tests may be used to determine whether leukemia cells have affected the bones. These tests include:

• Chest x-rays
• Ultrasound
• CT scans
• MRI
• PET scans

Additional Tests An evaluation of somatic molecular markers by PCR or NGS is recommended in all individuals with AML-M5 to identify specific genetic mutations.

References: 1. [4] Blood and bone marrow tests are used to diagnose AML and the AML subtype. 2. [3] Blood and bone marrow tests are used to diagnose AML and the AML subtype. 3. [9] An evaluation of somatic molecular markers by PCR (for individual mutations) or NGS (for multigene panel testing) is recommended in all individuals with AML. 4. [5] Analysis of genetic abnormalities. 5. [1] Oct 25, 2024 — Acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis often begins with an exam that checks for bruising, bleeding in the mouth or gums, infection, and swollen ... 6. [8] Apr 25, 2024 — Your doctor may suspect or sometimes diagnose AML from a blood test. 7. [3] Blood and bone marrow tests are used to diagnose AML and the AML subtype. 8. [5] Analysis of genetic abnormalities. 9. [1] Oct 25, 2024 — Acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis often begins with an exam that checks for bruising, bleeding in the mouth or gums, infection, and swollen ...

Treatment Options for Adult Acute Monocytic Leukemia

Adult acute monocytic leukemia (AML) is a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer that requires prompt treatment. While there are various treatment options available, the most effective approach often involves a combination of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and supportive care.

• Chemotherapy: The mainstay of treatment for AML, chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells in the bone marrow. Common chemotherapeutic agents used in treating AML include cytarabine, daunorubicin, and idarubicin [5].
• Targeted Therapy: For patients with specific genetic mutations, targeted therapy can be an effective treatment option. For instance, gilteritinib (Xospata) is approved for use in adults with FLT3 gene mutation-positive AML who have not responded to previous treatments [2]. Similarly, midostaurin (Rydapt) may be used to treat patients with a FLT3 gene mutation [6].
• Supportive Care: Supportive care plays a crucial role in managing the symptoms and complications associated with AML. This includes blood transfusions, antibiotics for infections, and pain management.

Emerging Therapies

Recent studies have explored new treatment approaches for AML, including:

• Venetoclax: A targeted therapy that has shown promise in treating B-cell lymphoma 2-positive AML [8].
• Anthracyclines and Cytarabine: The combination of anthracyclines and cytarabine (3 + 7 regimen) remains a standard induction chemotherapy for AML, although its effectiveness may vary depending on individual patient factors [4].

Important Considerations

When it comes to treating adult acute monocytic leukemia, it's essential to consider the following:

• Genetic Mutations: The presence of specific genetic mutations can significantly impact treatment decisions.
• Age and Overall Health: Older adults or those with underlying health conditions may require more tailored approaches to treatment.
• Clinical Trials: Participating in clinical trials can provide access to innovative treatments and contribute to advancing our understanding of AML.

References:

[1] Not provided (no relevant information found)

[2] Jun 5, 2024 - Gilteritinib (Xospata) can be used to treat adults whose leukemia cells have a mutation in the FLT3 gene and whose AML has not gotten better on previous treatments.

[3] Not provided (no relevant information found)

[4] by H Ishii · 2022 · Cited by 21 - The combination of anthracyclines and cytarabine, called 3 + 7, has been the standard of induction chemotherapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

[5] Jun 6, 2024 - The main treatment for most people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is chemotherapy, although other treatments might be used too.

[6] Oct 4, 2024 - Drugs Approved for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) · Arsenic Trioxide · Azacitidine · Cyclophosphamide · Cytarabine · Daunorubicin Hydrochloride ...

[7] Not provided (no relevant information found)

[8] Jan 9, 2020 - New targeted drugs have emerged, including venetoclax to target B-cell lymphoma 2, midostaurin and gilteritinib to target FLT3, and ivosidenib ...

The differential diagnosis of adult acute monocytic leukemia (AMoL) involves considering various other hematologic malignancies that may present with similar clinical and laboratory features.

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): AML is a heterogeneous group of aggressive blood cell cancers that arise from clonal expansion of malignant myeloid cells. The differential diagnosis of AMoL includes AML subtypes, such as minimally differentiated AML, AML without maturation, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia [1].
• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): ALL is a type of cancer that affects the lymphoid cells in the bone marrow. The differential diagnosis of AMoL includes ALL, particularly in cases where there is a high percentage of blast cells with monocytic differentiation [1].
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS): MDS is a group of disorders characterized by the production of abnormal blood cells. The differential diagnosis of AMoL includes MDS, particularly in cases where there is a high percentage of blasts and dysplasia in one or more myeloid lineages [2].
• Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL): APL is a subtype of AML characterized by the accumulation of promyelocytes. The differential diagnosis of AMoL includes APL, particularly in cases where there is a high percentage of blasts with promyelocytic differentiation [9].

It's worth noting that the differential diagnosis of AMoL requires careful consideration of clinical and laboratory features, including bone marrow morphology, immunophenotyping, and cytogenetic analysis. A stepwise diagnostic approach, as described in recent literature [10], can help guide the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected AMoL.

References: [1] - Context 1 [2] - Context 2 [9] - Context 9 [10] - Context 10