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Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
>Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is a
disease in which malignant cells are found in the bone marrow
and blood. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia progresses quickly and
can occur in adults or children. The chance of recovery (prognosis)
depends on the type of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and the
patient's age and general health.
Bone marrow is spongy tissue found inside the large bones
in the body. Bone marrow makes:
- white blood cells, which fight infection,
- red blood cells, which carry oxygen
and other materials to all parts of the body
- platelets, which cause the blood to
clot.
Bone marrow makes cells called blasts that develop into different
types of blood cells with varying purposes. Acute
Myelogenous Leukemia specifically affects the blasts
that are developing into white blood cells called granulocytes.
In Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, the
blasts become overpopulated and do not mature. These immature
blast cells are found in the blood and the bone marrow. Acute
Myelogenous Leukemia is characterized as "acute" because it
progresses quickly, with many immature blasts.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Symptoms
Acute myelogenous leukemia symptoms involve an uncontrolled
growth of "blast" cells, which are immature marrow
and blood cells that cannot function properly. Acute myelogenous
leukemia patients can have decreased numbers of all three
mature blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and
platelets. Acute myelogenous leukemia has seven sub-classifications,
depending on the type of blood cells that are predominantly
affected. A definitive diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia
is made after a microscopic examination of marrow and blood
samples. Choosing a treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia
depends upon its sub-classification as well as other factors,
including whether chromosome abnormalities are present.
Acute myelogenous leukemia symptoms will also depend upon
the types of cells affected. Patients with lowered red blood
cell counts will show classic signs of anemia: fatigue, shortness
of breath and a pale complexion. Patients with low platelet
counts may have prolonged bleeding and bruises that heal slowly
or not at all. Signs of a low white blood cell count include
frequent infections and pain in the bones or joints.
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Diagnosis
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is usually difficult to diagnose.
A doctor may order blood tests to check the number of the
different kinds of blood cells. If blood test results are
abnormal, a doctor may do a bone marrow biopsy. In a bone
marrow biopsy, a needle is inserted into a bone and a small
amount of bone marrow is taken out. The marrow is looked at
under a microscope, and the doctor can tell what kind of leukemia
is present and plan treatment.
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Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
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