Acute myeloid leukemia

AML is an aggressive form of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that is characterized by the quick multiplication of abnormal myeloid cells. This overview will include symptoms, epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention:

Overview:

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a very rare but aggressive form of leukemia in adults. Unlike acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), it also occurs in children but much less frequently. AML advances fast and has to be treated at once.

Symptoms:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Pale skin
• Frequent infections
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Shortness of breath
• Bone or joint pain
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Abdominal discomfort or swelling
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Headaches or confusion (less common)

Epidemiology:

• AML is more common in adults with over 60 years old being the most affected group.
• In children, it accounts for 15-20% of all cases of childhood leukemia.
• Other risk factors for developing AML include some genetic disorders such as Down syndrome and exposure to certain environmental agents like high levels radiation or certain chemicals.

Causes:

The exact cause of AML is often unknown, but several factors may contribute including;

• Genetic mutations: Some genetic alterations may lead to the development of AML such as chromosomal translocations or mutations in genes involved in cell growth and differentiation.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to radiation, certain chemicals (e.g., benzene), or chemotherapy drugs used to treat other cancers may increase the risk.
• Inherited predisposition: Some genetic syndromes, such as Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia, or Li-Fraumeni syndrome, are associated with an increased risk of AML.

Diagnosis:

• Blood tests: Abnormalities such as low red blood cell count (anemia), low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), and high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) may be revealed by A complete blood count test (CBC).
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: The presence of leukemia cells in bone marrow samples can be verified, while their characteristics can also be determined.
• Cytogenetic analysis: It is possible to identify specific genetic alterations in leukemia cells when they are tested for their existence.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): This procedure may be done to check for leukemia cells in the cerebrospinal fluid, as AML can spread to the central nervous system.

Treatment:

• Chemotherapy: Induction chemotherapy is the main treatment method applied during AML therapy to achieve remission, which is followed by consolidation chemo that eradicates all other traces of acute myeloid leukaemia cells.
• Stem cell transplant: Stem cell transplantation, otherwise known as bone marrow transplant, can be utilized where sickly bone marrows are replaced with healthy stem cells in some cases.
• Targeted therapy: Other cases have been reported where FLT3 inhibitors or IDH inhibitors were used alongside other drugs that are designed to cure them of it, after identification of various abnormalities within the leukemic cells.
• Supportive care: Besides treating conditions here and there, support systems help patients in managing symptoms and easing suffering caused by anemia or any form of infection while at the same time keeping a check on complications from neutropenia or thrombocytopenia among others.

Prevention:

• AML can be prevented by not doing certain things, because its cause is often not known.
• It may also help to stop being exposed to radiation and certain chemicals that are known to be risk factors.
• Starting treatment as early as possible after AML diagnosis is important for better results.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment must accompany acute myeloid leukemia. Better survival rates have been realized due to advances in medical research and treatment especially among the younger patients and those who can have stem cell transplant done on them. Ongoing studies also aim at having much more effective ways of treating AML with less side effects, while at the same time understanding the cause of this disease better.