Acute Leukemia - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Leukemia is a malignant disease (cancer) of the boneMost of the standard treatment for ALL uses
marrow and blood. It is characterized by thechemotherapy.Chemotherapy is the initial treatment
uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells. In AML, theof choice. Stem cell transplantation is used instead of
bone marrow makes many unformed cells calledconsolidative chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is used
blasts. AML starts with a change to a single cell in theon painful bony areas, in high disease burdens, or as
bone marrow. With AML, the leukemic cells are oftenpart of the preparations for a bone marrow
referred. to as blast cells. Acute lymphocytic leukemiatransplant (total body irradiation). Stem cell transplant.
(ALL) is a fast-growing cancer in which the bodyStem cell transplant is also used for consolidation
produces a large number of immature white bloodtherapy. It's similar to bone marrow transplant except
cells (lymphocytes). AML is the most common acutethe stem cells are collected from circulating blood
leukemia affecting, and its incidence increases with(peripheral blood). Induction therapy for children with
age. Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing diseaseAML starts with two or three drugs. Stronger
that results in the accumulation of immature,treatment is needed after a child with AML is in
functionless cells in the marrow and blood. In acuteremission. This is called intensive consolidation therapy.
leukemia, cancerous cells multiply quickly and replaceIt is given because usually some AML cells remain
normal cells. Cancerous cells take over normal partsafter induction therapy. Allogeneic stem cell transplant
of bone marrow, causing bone marrow failure. Acan be a high-risk procedure. For this reason, it may
person with ALL is more likely to bleed and havenot be a good treatment for some AML patients.
infections because there are fewer normal blood cells.Bone marrow or cord blood transplant (also called a
Several congenital conditions may increase the risk ofBMT) offers some patients the best chance for a
leukemia; the most common is probably Downlong-term remission of their disease.
syndrome, which is associated with a 10- to 18-foldAcute Leukemia for Treatment Tips
increase in the risk of AML.1. Chemotherapy -- drugs that destroy cancer cells or
Leukemia is divided into four categories: myelogenousstop them from growing.
or lymphocytic, each of which can be acute or2. Bone marrow or cord blood transplant (also called a
chronic. AML is more common in men than in women.BMT) offers some patients the best chance for a
Acute myelogenous leukemia is the most commonlong-term remission of their disease.
form of leukemia. The difference is even more3. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) and Monoclonal
apparent in older patients. Leukemia is one of the topantibodies are proteins designed to attach to
15 most frequently occuring cancers in minorityleukemia cells and help the immune system destroy
groups. Leukemia incidence is highest among whitesthem.
and lowest among American Indians and Alaskan4. Biological therapy attempts to stimulate or restore
natives. Signs of AML are often non-specific, andthe ability of your child's immune system to fight
may be similar to those of influenza or othercancer.
common illnesses. Some generalized symptoms5. Avoiding smoking, exposure to toxic chemicals, and
include fever, fatigue, weight loss or loss of appetite,exposure to radiation may help prevent some cases
shortness of breath with exertion, anemia, easyof leukemia.
bruising or bleeding, petechiae (flat, pin-head sized6. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is a monoclonal antibody
spots under the skin caused by bleeding), bone painagainst CD33 (a molecule present on most AML cells
and joint pain and persistent or frequentbut not on normal stem cells) conjugated to
infections.This is likely because myelodysplasticcalicheamicin (a potent chemotherapy molecule).
syndromes (MDSs) are more common in men, and7. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a treatment that
advanced MDS frequently evolves into AML. Morepermits the use of doses of chemotherapy and
than 11,900 new cases occur in the United Statesradiation therapy high enough to destroy the patient's
each year, mostly in older. The average age of abone marrow.
person with AML is 65 years.