acute myeloid leukemia

What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells, which can crowd out healthy cells in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells.

Causes and Risk Factors

AML typically occurs when certain genes or chromosomes mutate (change), leading to the development of cancerous cells. The exact cause of AML is often unknown, but it can be triggered by genetic mutations, exposure to radiation, or previous chemotherapy treatment.

Symptoms and Progression

The symptoms of AML can vary depending on the individual, but common signs include:

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Pale skin
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Frequent infections

If left untreated, AML can progress rapidly, leading to a decline in overall health.

Types and Stages

AML is classified into different subtypes based on the type of cells affected. The disease can also be described as:

• Untreated, active disease
• In remission (when treatment has successfully controlled the cancer)
• Measurable residual disease (MRD) (when small amounts of cancerous cells remain after treatment)
• Relapsed or refractory (when the cancer returns or does not respond to treatment)

Treatment Options

Treatment options for AML include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Stem cell transplant

Early detection and treatment are crucial in managing AML.

References:

• [1] Acute myeloid leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. (Source: 1)
• [2-3] Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare cancer that affects your bone marrow and blood, typically happening when certain genes or chromosomes mutate. (Sources: 2-3)
• [4-5] AML usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated, and can progress rapidly without treatment. (Sources: 5-6)
• [7-8] Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease characterized by the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of myeloid precursors in the bone marrow. (Sources: 7-8)
• [9-10] AML is described as untreated, active disease, in remission, measurable residual disease (MRD), relapsed or refractory. (Sources: 8-10)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. The signs and symptoms of AML can vary from person to person, but here are some common ones:

• Fatigue: Feeling extremely weak or tired, even after resting [1][3][6]
• Fever: Having a high temperature, which can be accompanied by chills and sweating [3][5][8]
• Bleeding and bruising: Easy bruising or bleeding, especially from the nose, gums, or skin [4][7][9]
• Pale skin: Skin looking pale or "washed out" due to a lack of red blood cells [1][6]
• Tiredness: Feeling weak or tired, which can be accompanied by shortness of breath [3][5][8]
• Frequent infections: Picking up or not being able to shake off infections such as coughs and colds [4][9]
• Headaches: Experiencing headaches due to anemia or other complications [1]

It's essential to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so a proper diagnosis from a medical professional is necessary for an accurate AML diagnosis.

References: [1] - Symptoms from low red blood cell counts (anemia) · Tiredness (fatigue) · Weakness · Feeling cold · Feeling dizzy or lightheaded · Headaches ... [3] - Oct 25, 2024 — Symptoms · Fever. · Pain. Common places for pain include the bones, back and stomach. · Feeling very tired. · Paleness or change in skin color. [4] - skin looking pale or "washed out" · tiredness · breathlessness · losing weight without trying · frequent infections · having a high temperature, and feeling hot or ... [5] - Apr 19, 2024 — Acute myeloid leukemia symptoms may include fatigue, fever, bruising and bleeding. Learn about the most common AML signs and what to look ... [6] - Oct 14, 2024 — Signs and symptoms of AML · pale skin · tiredness · breathlessness · frequent infections · unusual and frequent bleeding, such as bleeding gums or ... [7] - What are the symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)? · Bleeding · Bruising · Fever · Recurring or frequent infections · Feeling weak · Feeling tired (fatigue) · Pale ... [8] - Oct 15, 2024 — Signs and symptoms of AML include fever, feeling tired, and easy bruising or bleeding. Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to ... [9] - feeling weak or tired · a high temperature (fever) · picking up or not being able to shake off infections such as coughs and colds · bruising and bleeding easily.

Diagnostic Tests for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosis involves a combination of physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies to confirm the presence of this type of cancer. Here are some of the diagnostic tests used to diagnose AML:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test checks the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in your blood. With AML, you may have an abnormal increase in white blood cells [9].
• Blood Chemistry Tests: These tests measure the levels of various chemicals in your blood to determine if there are any abnormalities that could indicate AML.
• Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy: This is a procedure where a small sample of bone marrow is taken from the hip using a long needle. The bone marrow is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells [6, 10].
• Blood Film (Blood Smear): A blood smear is a test that examines the shape and size of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This can help identify any abnormalities in these cells.
• Bone Marrow Test: This test examines the bone marrow to determine if there are any abnormal cells present [7].
• Immunophenotyping (Flow Cytometry): This is a laboratory test that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins on the surface of white blood cells. It can help identify the type of AML you have.
• Genetic Tests: These tests examine your chromosomes and genes to determine if there are any abnormalities that could indicate AML [5, 8].

These diagnostic tests are used in combination with a physical examination to confirm a diagnosis of AML.

References:

[1] Jun 5, 2024 — Lab tests to diagnose acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and learn more about it [2] 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 lymph nodes. [3] NYU Langone doctors diagnose acute myeloid leukemia based on the results of blood tests, bone marrow aspiration, and lumbar puncture. Learn more. [4] Blood and bone marrow tests are used to diagnose AML and the AML subtype. A change in the number and appearance of blood cells helps to make the diagnosis. [5] Tests for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) · Suspecting AML · Full blood count (FBC) · Blood film (blood smear) · Bone marrow biopsy · Genetic tests (cytogenetic and ... [6] To confirm a diagnosis of AML, a small sample of your bone marrow will be taken to examine under a microscope. This procedure is known as a bone marrow biopsy. [7] Apr 25, 2024 — Tests your specialist might do · Bone marrow test · Immunophenotyping (flow cytometry) · Changes to chromosomes and genes · FISH (fluorescence in ... [8] Healthcare providers use several tests to diagnose AML, including genetic tests to identify AML type. Providers typically start with a physical examination. [9] Dec 9, 2022 — Complete blood count (CBC). This test checks how many white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets you have. With AML, you may have more ... [10] Acute Myeloid Leukemia Diagnosis ... Doctors diagnose leukemia through a bone marrow biopsy. This involves using a long needle to take bone marrow from the hip.

Treatment Options for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. While there are various treatment options available, chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for most types of AML.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for AML, often used in combination with targeted therapy drugs. This treatment approach may be followed by a stem cell transplant (Source: [1], [4])
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy, including monoclonal antibody therapy, may also be used to treat AML (Source: [3], [5])
• Stem Cell Transplant: Stem cell transplantation is another treatment option for AML, often used in combination with chemotherapy (Source: [1], [2])

Other Treatment Options

While chemotherapy and targeted therapy are the main treatment options for AML, other treatments may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. These include:

• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy may be used to treat AML, particularly in cases where the cancer has spread to the brain or spinal cord (Source: [7])
• Bone Marrow Transplant: Bone marrow transplantation is another treatment option for AML, often used in combination with chemotherapy (Source: [7])

Treatment Duration

The duration of treatment for AML can vary depending on individual circumstances. In general, chemotherapy and other treatments may take 6 to 12 months to complete (Source: [9]).

It's essential to note that integrative medicine may help patients cope with the stress of a cancer diagnosis, but it is not an alternative treatment for AML itself (Source: [6]).

The differential diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) involves considering various other hematologic malignancies that may present with similar symptoms and laboratory findings.

• Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL): APL is a distinctive subtype of AML characterized by the accumulation of immature granulocytes in the bone marrow. It often presents with bleeding complications due to disseminated intravascular coagulation [2].
• Aplastic Anemia: Aplastic anemia is a condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells, leading to pancytopenia (a decrease in all types of blood cells). It can be confused with AML due to similar laboratory findings [3].
• Viral Infections: Certain viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis can cause pancytopenia and may be mistaken for AML. However, these conditions typically resolve on their own once the underlying infection is treated [3].
• Drug-induced Pancytopenia: Some medications can cause a decrease in blood cells, leading to pancytopenia. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of AML, especially if the patient has recently started taking new medications [4].
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): SLE is an autoimmune disease that can cause a variety of hematologic abnormalities, including pancytopenia. It may be confused with AML due to similar laboratory findings [4].

It's essential to note that diagnosing AML and its subtypes usually involves a series of blood and bone marrow tests, which can help differentiate it from other conditions [5].