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