Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

Acute myelogenous leukaemia, or AML, is a malignancy of the bone marrow, the spongy tissue found inside bones that is used to make blood cells.

In acute myelogenous leukaemia, "acute" refers to the disease's quick course. Because it affects a subset of white blood cells known as myeloid cells, which typically mature into other types of mature blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, the disease is known as myelogenous leukaemia.

Acute myeloid leukaemia, acute myeloblastic leukaemia, acute granulocytic leukaemia, and acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia are other names for acute myelogenous leukaemia.

Causes Of  Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia

When a bone marrow cell undergoes modifications (mutations) in its DNA or genetic material, acute myelogenous leukaemia results. The directions that inform a cell what to do are encoded in its DNA. The DNA typically instructs a cell to develop at a specific rate and to die at a specific time. The mutations in acute myelogenous leukaemia instruct the bone marrow cell to keep proliferating and dividing.

The synthesis of blood cells gets out of control at this point. The bone marrow generates immature cells known as myeloblasts, which grow into leukemic white blood cells. These aberrant cells can proliferate and displace healthy cells since they are unable to perform their regular functions.

Though the precise cause of the DNA abnormalities that cause leukaemia is unknown, medical professionals have identified factors that increase the risk.

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Symptoms Of Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia

Early-stage acute myelogenous leukaemia symptoms can resemble the flu or other common illnesses in terms of their general signs and symptoms.

Acute myelogenous leukaemia symptoms and signs include:

• Bone pain
• Fever
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Breathing difficulties
• Pale skin
• Recurring infections
• Easy bruising
• Unusual bleeding, such as gum bleeding and nosebleeds that happen frequently

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Risk Factors Of  Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia

Your risk of developing acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) may be raised by the following factors:

• Growing older: Growing older raises the chance of acute myelogenous leukaemia. Adults 65 and older are the most common age group with acute myelogenous leukaemia.
• Sex: Acute myelogenous leukaemia is more common in men than in women.
• Previous cancer therapy: Individuals with a history of certain chemotherapy and radiation treatments may be more susceptible to AML.
• Radiation exposure: Individuals who have had extreme radiation exposure, such as those who have survived a nuclear reactor catastrophe, are more likely to develop AML.
• Dangerous exposure to chemicals: There is evidence linking exposure to specific chemicals, including benzene, to an increased risk of AML.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke, which includes benzene and other substances known to cause cancer, is associated with AML.
• Other blood conditions: An increased chance of getting AML exists in those who have previously had another blood illness, such as myelodysplasia, myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, or thrombocythemia.
• Genetic diseases: An elevated risk of AML is linked to certain genetic abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.

Many people who have risk factors never get malignancy, while many people with AML have no recognised risk factors.

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Diagnosis Of  Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia

In the event that you exhibit indications of acute myelogenous leukaemia, your physician might suggest that you go through certain diagnostic procedures, such as:

• Blood examinations: The majority of patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia have insufficient red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. However, there are situations where the white blood cell count is too low. Another sign of acute myelogenous leukaemia is the presence of blast cells, which are immature cells typically seen in bone marrow but not circulating in the blood.
• Bone marrow test: Leukaemia can be suspected by a blood test, but a bone marrow test is typically required to confirm the diagnosis. A bone marrow sample is taken using a needle during a bone marrow biopsy. Typically, the hipbone is used to obtain the sample. For testing, the sample is transported to a lab.
• Spinal tap, or lumbar puncture: To look for leukaemia cells, drain some of the fluid surrounding your spinal cord occasionally. Your doctor will use a tiny needle to enter your lower back's spinal canal to extract this fluid.
• Examining cancerous cells in a lab: Your leukaemia cells are tested in a lab so that medical professionals can determine which gene alterations are present. This can inform your treatment plan and help decide your prognosis.

Also Read: Megaloblastic Anaemia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatment Of  Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia

Acute myelogenous leukaemia treatment is influenced by several variables, such as age, general health, and personal preferences.

Treatment typically consists of two stages:

• Remission induction treatment: The initial stage of treatment is to eradicate the leukaemia cells from your bone marrow and blood. Remission induction, however, typically leaves some leukaemia cells behind; hence, more treatment is necessary to keep the illness from coming back.
• Consolidation treatment: This stage of treatment, which is also known as maintenance therapy or post-remission therapy, aims to eradicate any leukaemia cells that remain. It's thought to be essential for lowering the chance of relapse.

In these stages, therapies such as:

• Chemotherapy: Although it can also be used for consolidation therapy, chemotherapy is the main treatment utilised to induce remission. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in the body by using chemicals. Chemotherapy treatments for AML patients typically involve hospital stays since the medications kill leukaemia cells while also destroying a large number of normal blood cells. Chemotherapy can be repeated if the initial round is unsuccessful in bringing about remission.
• Targeted treatment: Treatments with targeted drugs concentrate on particular defects found in cancer cells. Cancer cells can be killed by specific medication treatments that prevent these abnormalities. We will analyse your leukaemia cells to determine whether you would benefit from targeted therapy. For induction therapy, targeted therapy can be administered either alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy.
• Bone marrow transplant: Consolidation therapy may involve a bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell transplant. By substituting leukaemia-free stem cells that will rebuild healthy bone marrow for sick bone marrow, a bone marrow transplant aids in the restoration of healthy stem cells. You undergo extremely high dosages of radiation therapy or chemotherapy before receiving a bone marrow transplant to eradicate the bone marrow that causes leukaemia. After that, you get stem cell infusions from a suitable donor (allogeneic transplant). If you were previously in remission and had your healthy stem cells extracted and preserved for a future transplant, you can also get your stem cells (autologous transplant).
• Clinical examinations: Some leukaemia patients decide to sign up for clinical trials to attempt novel or experimental treatments.

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