Acute myeloid leukemia is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults – look at these signs

Acute myeloid leukemia (LMA) is a type of leukemia, blood cancer and bone marrow. AML specifically affects myeloid cells, which are immature white blood cells. It is one of the most common types of adult leukemia.

There are several subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia. The most common are:

• Myeloid leukemia: The most common subtype
• Acute monocytic leukemia: Affects white blood cells.
• Acute megacaryocytic leukemia:: Affects red blood cells or plates
• Acute promyelocytic leukemia:: Affects white blood cells

Acute myeloid leukemia causes several vague symptoms that could be similar to those of many other conditions. These more general LMA symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Loss of appetite
• Involuntary weight loss

People with LMA have a shortage of healthy blood cells. Low levels of blood cells can cause the following complications and their symptoms:

• Low red blood cells (anemia): Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, dizziness, dizziness, having a cold and breathless
• Low white blood cells (neutropenia): Frequent infections and fevers
• Weak platelets (thrombocytopenia): Easy bruises and bleeding, nose bleeding, heavy menstrual periods

Advanced LMA symptoms

As acute myeloid leukemia is progressing, it can affect other areas of the body. Symptoms of advanced LMA may include:

• Bone or joint pain
• Abdominal swelling
• Skin rashes
• Headache
• Seizures
• Blurred vision

AML begins in immature myeloid cells called myeloblasts. As cancer myeloblasts divide and multiply, they start to extend the healthy cells in the bone marrow, leading to low levels of red blood cells and platelets.

LMA occurs when DNA changes take place inside the chromosomes in cells. Genetic mutation in bone marrow cells can cause leukemia. Researchers are not certain of what causes these changes, but certain risk factors can be involved.

Risk factors

Certain factors increase the risk of acute myeloid leukemia, some of which are not possible to avoid. You can be more at risk for the LMA if you:

• Are over 65 years old
• Were assigned to birth
• Smoke
• Have history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Are exposed to certain chemicals, such as benzene
• Have a family history of the LMA
• Have certain genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, neurofibromatosis or Fanconi anemia
• Have certain blood disorders such as Myeloproliferative disorders (Blood disorders which cause a small number of blood cells and abnormal cells in the blood and bone marrow)

If you go to a primary care provider, they can refer to an oncologist (a doctor specializing in the diagnosis and processing of cancer) for tests.

In addition to carrying out an in -depth physical examination and medical history, they can recommend the following diagnostic tests:

• Blood tests: These could include an introductory test in the full blood to determine the amount of blood cells, a blood smear to search for blood myeloblasts, blood chemistry tests to check the function of the organs and coagulation tests to check the number of platelets. They can also do genetic blood tests to search for genetic and chromosomal changes in cells.
• Bone marrow tests: It is when a doctor eliminates a small sample of bone marrow and examines the cells under a microscope.
• Cephalorachidian fluid: A lumbar puncture is the most common way that a doctor will perform this test. It measures if cancer cells have spread to the brain or spinal cord.

Because AML generally does not cause tumors, imaging scanners are not used in the initial diagnostic steps. However, once you have been diagnosed, X -rays, ultrasounds, calculated tomographies (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging analyzes (MRI) could be used to see if cancer has spread or if you have complications such as pulmonary infection.

LMA stages

Unlike other types of cancer, acute myeloid leukemia does not have a standard stadium system. The staging of cancer refers to the process of determining the progression of cancer. This is useful for determining a person’s prognosis and the appropriate treatment plan. Most of the cancer staging protocols are based on the growth of a solid tumor. AML does not cause tumors.

While acute myeloid leukemia develops and spreads quickly, treatment is available. The objective of AML treatment is to achieve remission or slow down propagation.

AML processing options may include:

• Chemotherapy: This treatment uses drugs that destroy rapidly growing cells in the body, including leukemia cells.
• Radiotherapy: This treatment uses radiation rays to destroy cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy: This treatment uses drugs that destroy specific types of cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. It is generally used in combination with chemotherapy.
• Bone marrow transplant: This medical procedure replaces a person’s blood cells with those of a healthy donor.

There is no known way to prevent LMA. Many people developing an LMA have no risk factor. Because smoking is a known risk factor, stopping or avoiding smoking tobacco can reduce your risk.

Even after a successful treatment, you can still have complications from the LMA. These include:

• Fatigue
• Mental health problems
• Infections
• Sexual dysfunction
• Cancer recurrence

If your treatment involved transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells, you can also suffer from chronic guest transplant disease (GVHD). It was at this time that the donor’s immune cells (the transplant) attack the recipient’s body (host).

Although acute myeloid leukemia is treatable, it may not be possible to heal. After treatment, LMA can reproduce (come back).

The five -year survival rate for LMA is 32.9%. This means that after their initial diagnosis, almost 33% of LMA people are still alive after five years.

Consider the following recommendations to live with AML:

• Go to tracking appointments: Consult your health care team for follow-up meetings and screening tests. Regular care helps your doctor to recognize the first signs of recurrence and start treatment immediately.
• Make changes in lifestyle: Speak with your diet health team and exercise recommendations. Staying active and eating a nutritious diet can improve your energy level.
• Get emotional support: It is common to feel sad, angry and overwhelmed during your cancer career. Consider meeting a therapist or a support group.

Living with AML can be overwhelming. Stay in close contact with your health care team and press friends and family members to get support.