Acute myeloid leukemia
Cancer in White blood cells is leukemia. The term “acute” refers to the disease’s rapid and aggressive progression and indicates the need for prompt medical attention.
White blood cells come in two primary categories:
- Lymphocytes, which fight viral infections
- Myeloid cells battle bacterial infections to protect the body from parasites and stop the spread of tissue damage
Symptoms
The general signs and symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia in its early stages can resemble those of the flu or other common illnesses.
Acute myelogenous leukemia has the following symptoms:
- Fever
- A bone pain
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- Recurring infections
- Quick bruising
- Uncommon bleeding, such as recurrent nosebleeds and gum bleeding
What brings on Acute myeloid leukemia?
It is unclear what causes this condition.
However, certain factors can raise your risk of developing AML:
- Chemotherapy or radiation treatments before
- Exposure to extremely high radiation levels (including previous radiotherapy treatment)
- Smoking
- Having a genetic issue like Down’s syndrome or a blood disorder
Treatment of AML
As AML progress swiftly, treatment must start as soon as feasible.
The primary treatment for AML is chemotherapy. It works by eliminating as many leukemia cells from your body as possible and lowering your risk of recurring disease (relapsing).
In rare circumstances, bone marrow or stem cell transplants combine with intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022