The full form of AML is Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It is a type of blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow and affects myeloid cells, which are progenitors to other blood cells such as red blood cells (RBC), platelets, and white blood cells (WBC). It causes leukemic blasts to mutate in myeloid cells and change form. As a result, normal cell development is hampered. Eventually, the affected person’s body would have a lack of RBC, WBC, and platelets.
AML is also known as acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia, acute myelogenous leukaemia, and acute myeloblastic leukaemia. There are many types of AML based on the type of leukaemia cells identified in bone marrow blood. AML is caused by adverse alterations or mutations in myeloid cell DNA genes present in the bone marrow. The true cause of such mutations remains unknown.
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Symptoms of AML
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bone pain
- Frequent infections
- Blood in urine
- nosebleeds
- Pale skin
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding gums
Factors of Risk
- It is more common in adults over the age of 65.
- AML is more common in men than in women.
- Survivors of the nuclear reactor accident
- Cigarette smoke contains benzene and numerous other cancer-causing substances.
- Other blood abnormalities, such as myelodysplasia and myelofibrosis, can increase the risk of AML.
- Down syndrome is one of the genetic conditions.
- Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene.