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  1. Acute myeloid leukemia - Overview

    Verified Expert
    Also known as: AML, AML leukemia
    A type of blood cancer where excess of immature white blood cells or myeloid line of blood-forming cells is made by the bone marrow.
    Condition Highlight
    Urgent medical attention is usually recommended by healthcare providers
    Condition Highlight
    Can be dangerous or life threatening if untreated
    How common is condition?
    Very rare (Fewer than 20,000 cases per year in US)
    Is condition treatable?
    Treatable by a medical professional
    Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
    Often requires lab test or imaging
    Time taken for recovery
    Can last several years or be lifelong
    Condition Highlight
    Common for ages 60 and older
    Condition Highlight
    More common in males
    Condition Highlight
    Family history may increase likelihood
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    Causes

    Verified Expert

    • Acute myelogenous leukaemia is caused by the damage to the DNA of bone marrow cells leading to the formation of abnormal blood cells.
    • The bone marrow produces juvenile cells that form into leukemic white blood cells called myeloblasts
    • These irregular cells cannot work legitimately, and they can develop and crowd out healthy cells
    • The risk factors include:
    • Radiation
    • Exposure to specific chemicals such as benzene, cleaning products, detergents, and paint strippers
    • Chemotherapy drugs, such as mechlorethamine, procarbazine, and chlorambucil

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    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms.

    The symptoms include:

    • Fever
    • Bone pain
    • Fatigue
    • Shortness of breath
    • Pale skin
    • Frequent infections
    • Easy bruising
    • Unusual bleeding

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    Can AML leukemia be cured?
    With standard cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, only 40% of AML patients <60 years of age will survive more than 5 years and outcomes are far worse in older patients who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy (median survival, <1 year) [ 1, 2 ].
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    Chemotherapy and stem cell transplants are available treatment options.

    Medication

    Chemotherapy: Chemicals are used to kill cancer cells in the body.

    Cytarabine . Daunorubicin

    Targeted therapy: The drugs that attack specific sites of cancer cells to kill them are used.

    Midostaurin

    Anti-cancer drugs: The medication is continued even after no leukemia cells are present (this stage is known as "in remission). This therapy is known as post-remission or consolidation therapy.

    Arsenic trioxide . All-trans retinoic acid

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    acute myeloid leukemia_en
    Microsoft Start Health

    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    If the condition is suspected, certain laboratory and diagnostic tests are recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

    Common tests & procedures

    Complete blood count (CBC): Usually people with acute myelogenous leukemia will have increased number of white blood cells, insufficient red blood cells, and insufficient platelets.

    Bone marrow test: A specimen of bone marrow from hip bone is examined to confirm the condition.

    Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): Leukemia cells are checked in the liquid around the spinal cord to confirm the condition.

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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Overview
    Causes
    Symptoms
    Can AML leukemia be cured?
    Treatment
    Health guide
    Diagnosis
     
  1. Acute myeloid leukemia
    • According to 2 sources
    Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare cancer that affects your bone marrow and blood. It typically happens when certain genes or chromosomes mutate (change). AML usually affects people age 60 and older, but it can also affect younger adults and children. Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive cancer that can be life-threatening.

    Acute Myeloid Leukemia (…

    my.clevelandclinic.org
    Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises a heterogeneous group of aggressive blood cell cancers that arise from clonal expansion of malignant hematopoietic precursor cells in the bone marrow. The leukemic cells interfere with production of normal blood cells, causing weakness, infection, bleeding, and other symptoms and complications.

    Acute myeloid leukemia i…

    uptodate.com
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  3. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org › diseases-conditions › ...

    Acute myelogenous leukemia - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

  4. Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Acute_myeloid_leukemia

    Acute myeloid leukemia - Wikipedia

  5. American Cancer Society
    https://www.cancer.org › cancer › types › acute-myeloid...

    What Is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)? - American Cancer Society

  6. American Cancer Society
    https://www.cancer.org › cancer › types › acute-myeloid...

    Signs and Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

  7. National Center for Biotechnology Information
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › books

    Acute Myeloid Leukemia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

    Apr 27, 2024 · Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rapidly progressing myeloid neoplasm characterized by the clonal expansion of immature myeloid-derived cells, known as blasts, in the peripheral blood and bone marrow.

  8. American Cancer Society
    https://www.cancer.org › ... › acute-myeloid-leukemia.html

    Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Adults - American Cancer Society

  9. Cancer.gov
    https://www.cancer.gov › types › leukem…

    Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment - NCI - National …

    Oct 15, 2024 · Learn about AML, a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood cells. Find out about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, stages, and treatment options for AML.

  10. Healthline
    https://www.healthline.com › health › final-stages-of...

    What Are the Final Stages of Acute Myeloid Leukemia? - Healthline

  11. UpToDate
    https://www.uptodate.com › contents › acute-myeloid...

    Acute myeloid leukemia in adults: Overview - UpToDate

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