Acute myeloid leukemia is a malignancy (cancer) that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by the production of large numbers of immature white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and inhibit normal blood production in the bone marrow; and the ability to spread through the blood throughout the body, causing the patient to become anemic, bleed easily, become infected and have organ infiltrations.
What type of acute myeloid leukemia do I have?
Acute myeloid leukemia is not a single tumor, but a group of leukemias that occur in the myeloid lineage of the bone marrow. the FAB classification system classifies AML into 8 subtypes by morphological differences in leukemia cells under the microscope. The WHO classification system now classifies AML more accurately by morphology, immunophenotype, cytogenetics and molecular cytology of leukemia cells, providing more information to predict disease prognosis and guide the choice of treatment.
Among the most important indicators that can reliably and accurately predict the prognosis of AML are genetic alterations. Some genetic changes have a good prognosis, i.e., they respond well to treatment and may lead to a cure, while others have a poor prognosis. Genetics with a good prognosis are: translocation t(8;21) on chromosomes 8 and 21; insertion inv(16) on chromosome 16; and translocation t(15;17) between chromosomes 15 and 17.
Some subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia leukemia have some specific symptoms. For example, acute promyelocytic leukemia presents with bleeding and clotting abnormalities, and acute monocytic leukemia presents with swollen gums.
Its incidence?
Overall, AML is a relatively rare neoplasm, accounting for approximately 0.8% of all cancers; it affects approximately 3.7 out of 100,000 people in the overall population.
Who can get this disease?
Acute myeloid leukemia can occur in people of any age, but it most commonly occurs in adults around the age of 60 and is more common in men than women.
What causes it?
The cause of acute myeloid leukemia is not known, but it is thought that certain factors may cause disruption of the genes that control normal blood production. Factors that have been found to contribute to the increased risk of developing acute leukemia include
1. exposure to high doses of radiation, such as a nuclear accident or having received radiation therapy for cancer
2. industrial chemicals, such as organic solvents like benzene or having received chemotherapy for cancer
3.Smoking and environmental pollution, etc.
4, suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
5, suffering from heritage diseases: Down’s syndrome, Fanconi’s anemia, etc.
What are its symptoms?
Its main symptom is caused by the lack of normal blood cells. Contains.
1. anemia, manifested as weakness, dizziness, pallor or shortness of breath after activity
2. recurrent infections and not easily cured, mainly due to the lack of normal white blood cells, especially neutrophils.
3. bleeding tendency: easy bleeding, excessive bleeding, bleeding gums, bleeding stools and irregular menstrual bleeding due to thrombocytopenia
4. organ infiltration: painless enlargement of lymph nodes, enlarged liver and spleen, swollen gums and sternal pressure pain.
How is this disease diagnosed?
Acute myeloid leukemia is diagnosed mainly by blood tests and bone marrow aspiration biopsy; it presents with abnormally elevated peripheral blood leukocytes and a large accumulation of leukemic cells in the bone marrow; the diagnostic criteria are ≥20% of primary cells (leukemic cells) in the bone marrow or peripheral blood.
How is it treated?
Because this tumor progresses very rapidly, it needs to be treated immediately after a definitive diagnosis. Treatment depends on many factors: the subtype of AML, genetic abnormalities of the leukemic cells, age and physical health status.
Chemotherapy is the primary treatment, and is divided into induction chemotherapy and post-induction consolidation therapy. Once complete remission is achieved, consolidation therapy is needed to maintain normal blood production in the bone marrow and remove residual leukemia foci in the body to prevent recurrence.
The standard induction chemotherapy regimen is cytarabine + erythromycin or norethromycin in a DA or IA (7+3) regimen.
Post-remission consolidation therapy consists of: high-dose chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation, etc.
What are the side effects of treatment?
Treatment relapse varies depending on the type and severity of the disease, depending on the treatment regimen received and individual factors. In general, the stronger the treatment regimen, the more severe the associated side effects. Most side effects are manageable and reversible.
Chemotherapy mainly causes myelosuppression, often within a week of chemotherapy, and recovery takes time, depending on the type and dose of chemotherapy drugs and the patient’s response to leukemia treatment. During this time, patients usually require adequate supportive care, such as isolation in a laminar bed, leukocyte-raising therapy, antibiotic therapy, and blood transfusions.
Other complications of chemotherapy are.
1.Fatigue and weakness
2. Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
3.Mouth ulcers
4.Diarrhea or constipation
5.Infertility
6.Could cause second tumor
How to follow up regularly after the treatment?
After treatment, patients must return to the hospital for regular follow-up examinations to see if the tumor has recurred, and tell the attending physician about the symptoms that occurred during the follow-up period.