Leukemia is cancer that affects the bone marrow and the blood. Acute myeloid leukemia, also known as acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, is cancer that grows quickly if left untreated which can be fatal within a period of few months. Most cases of Acute myeloid leukemia develops from the cells that transform into white blood cells although some cases can also develop in various types of blood-forming cells. The Acute myeloid leukemia begins in the bone marrow that can move into the blood and continue to spread to other parts of the body such as the liver, lymph nodes, spleen and central nervous system.
Causes
One of the features of this cancer is the excess production of immature white blood cells called myeloblasts which can crowd the bone marrow making it difficult for the normal production of blood cells. As the result of their immaturity, they cannot effectively fight off infections. The low quantity of red cells and platelets causes anemia and easy bleeding. The exact cause of this cancer is not known although it can be the result of the genetic defect that is responsible for the control of blood cell development. Some of the risk factors associated with developing this cancer include exposure to high doses of radiation, long-term exposure to certain industrial chemicals and smoking tobacco. Individuals with certain blood disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome and genetic conditions like the Down’s syndrome are at increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia.
Symptoms
The symptoms develop from the effects of the leukemia cells and the inability of the normal production of blood cells. Some of the common symptoms include frequent infections caused by the lack of healthy white cells, unusual bleeding from insufficient platelets, blood spots on the skin, looking pale or fatigue from anemia, feeling unwell, fever and sweats. Additional symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, bone pain, chest pain and abdominal discomfort from the swollen liver.
Diagnosis
In some of the cases, leukemia may be detected with the routine blood test. Additional tests can include a physical examination to identify enlargement of the liver, spleen and swelling of the lymph nodes. A complete blood count (CBC) can also diagnose leukemia that can detect the leukemia cells. The bone marrow biopsy uses a procedure to remove a sample of the bone marrow that can detect the leukemia cells. Various forms of Acute myeloid leukemia are associated with genetic changes and hence tests may be needed to look for changes including; cytogenetics, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunophenotyping.
Treatment
The treatment should be initiated soon after diagnosis as this cancer can progress quickly. The treatment may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant and or targeted therapy. The chemotherapy is the main treatment option with the induction chemotherapy that uses the combination of drugs to destroy leukemia cells and to bring normal blood counts. This may be followed by consolidation chemotherapy that continues to destroy remaining leukemia. The stem cell transplant may be optional for some of the affected individuals that increase the chance of cure.
References
http://www.leukaemia.org.au/blood-cancers/leukaemias/acute-myeloid-leukaemia-aml
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/acute-myeloid-leukemia/about/what-is-aml.html
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/leukaemia/leukaemia-acute-myeloid/treating
http://www.cancercenter.com/leukemia/types/tab/acute-myeloid-leukemia/
https://www.lls.org/leukemia/acute-myeloid-leukemia?src1=20032&src2=
