Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Disease information
Overview
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a severe condition that can lead to sudden death due to infections and bleeding issues caused by the lack of production of normally functioning blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. When diagnosed, AML is already considered to be widespread, similar to a stage 4 (terminal) solid tumor like stomach or lung cancer . Without treatment, AML has a high mortality rate, with about 90% of patients dying within six months. However, with timely and appropriate treatment, many patients can achieve remission.
▲ Acute myeloid leukocyte
Causes and Symptoms
The exact causes are not known, but several factors have been associated with an increased risk of developing AML. These include:
- Exposure to large amounts of radiation
- Structural chromosomal abnormalities and consequent congenital disorders Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome
- Previous chemotherapy due to other malignant tumors
- Long-term exposure to chemicals such as benzene, paint, and insecticide
Symptoms can vary among individuals, but here are some common signs and symptoms of AML: (Although about 50% of cases show no specific symptoms.)
- Anemia Weakness and fatigue, pallor, headache, dyspnea
- Infection Fever, chill, general weakness, specific symptoms according to infected sites (ex. pneumonia: cough, chest pain, dyspnea)
- Hemorrhage(bleeding) Persistentnasal bleeding • gum bleeding, bruise, brain•lung•intestine hemorrhage
- Others Ostalgia, weight loss, lymph node enlargement, hepatic and splenic enlargement, lumps of subcutaneous and soft tissue, or internal organs
▲ Symptoms of anemia