| Acute myelogenous leukemia | | | | Blood tests identify the possibility of AML. The final |
| AML, (acute myelogenous leukemia), is an aggressive | | | | diagnosis is usually made after a bone marrow test |
| cancer of the bone marrow and blood. It is the most | | | | and sometimes by a spinal tap, also known as a |
| common type of leukemia. AML is also known by the | | | | lumbar (lower spine) puncture (LP). |
| following names-acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute | | | | There are several types treatments available, one or |
| myeloid leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia or | | | | more will be used to treat a dignosis of AML. |
| acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Blood cells are | | | | Chemotherapy-strong drugs taken orally or |
| malformed and useless. The cells can accumulate in | | | | intravenously that kills the cancer cells. Occasionally it's |
| parts of the body. | | | | injected directly into the spine. It is a systemic |
| Acute myelogenous leukemia statistics | | | | treatment because it travels throughout the whole |
| - Rare in people under 40 years old | | | | body. |
| - More common in men than in women | | | | Radiation-high energy rays like X-rays kill the cancer |
| - Average age is 65 years old | | | | cells |
| - 5-year survival rateo under 65 years old-33%o over | | | | Bone marrow transplants-unhealthy cancer producing |
| 65 years old-4% | | | | bone marrow is destroyed and replaced with |
| - 2007 it is predicted there will be 13,000 cases | | | | matching bone marrow. |
| (majority will be adults) | | | | Immunotherapy-stimulates the immune system to |
| The symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia | | | | destroy cancer cells or boosts natural defenses. It |
| include abnormal blood counts, a general run-down, | | | | can be a made naturally or artificially. |
| unwell feeling that never gets better, reoccurring | | | | Risk factors for AML |
| infections, swollen lymph nodes, and bone/ joint pain. | | | | - Previous chemotherapy or radiation treatments |
| Symptoms are acute (comes on suddenly, and | | | | - Exposure to radiation and chemicals like benzene |
| accelerates quickly) instead of chronic (mild | | | | - Genetic disorders like Downs Syndrome |
| symptoms that gradually worsen over years). | | | | - Smoking |
| When the malformed cells collect around parts of the | | | | - Blood disorders like myelodysplasia. |
| body, it can cause skin, lung, central nervous system, | | | | People with risk factors should watch more closely |
| kidney, and even testicle problems. Initially, acute | | | | for symptoms of AML because early treatment |
| myelogenous leukemia may mimic other conditions. | | | | increases survival rate. |