Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment in Delhi, India

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is the cancer of the blood and bone marrow leading to the formation of abnormal blood cells. It is the most common type of leukaemia in the adult population.

Associated Anatomy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Blood and bone marrow

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Causes

Acute myeloid leukaemia is considered to be caused by the following factors:

Genetic mutations

Change in genes or mutations can be acquired and caused by various factors such as exposure to radiation, chemotherapy, etc.

Hereditary factor

Family history is also considered to be responsible for the faulty gene transfer to generations and causing leukaemia.

Alternate Name of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myelogenous leukaemia or acute myeloblastic leukaemia

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia include the following:

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of weight
• Reduced appetite
• Weakness & Feeling tired
• Pale skin
• Feet and hands getting cold Infections
• Easy bruising
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Nose bleeds
• Bleeding gums
• Skin rashes
• Red spots on the skin
• Balance disorders
• Seizures
• Joint pain
• Nerve damage

Stages of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

There is no standard staging system for acute myeloid leukaemia. It is generally differentiated as newly diagnosed, remission, and recurrent.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Diagnosis

The clinical presentation of acute myeloid leukaemia might mimic symptoms of other conditions such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), bone marrow failure, aplastic anaemia, anaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), B-cell lymphoma, chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), acute biphenotypic leukaemia, metastasis to certain tumours, etc. Hence, a differential diagnosis is required to rule out these conditions.

Typical Test Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The typical test starts with the diagnosis of the patient's medical history, signs, symptoms, and physical examination, followed by blood counts. A peripheral blood smear is used to check for the blast cells. In addition, flow cytometry is used to identify the presence of tumour markers on the cells. Bone marrow aspiration followed by biopsy can be used to look for signs of cancerous growth in the cells. In addition, molecular testing, Immunophenotyping, cytogenetic analysis, etc., could be used to confirm the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatments

The treatment options for acute myeloid leukaemia depend on the patient's stage, gender, and overall health condition. Various treatment options include:

Chemotherapy

In chemotherapy, Anti-cancer medications are given to kill the cancerous cells.

Stem cell transplantation

In stem cell transplantation, Stem cells are transplanted along with chemotherapy to replenish the blood-forming cells.

Radiotherapy

In radiotherapy, High-intensity radiation is used to destroy cancerous cells.

Targeted therapy

In targeted therapy, Specific medications targeting the tumour cells/tissues are administered, sparing the healthy cells.

Risk Factors of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Risk factors for acute myeloid leukaemia include the following:

• Age: Older people are at increased risk to develop acute myeloid leukaemia
• Sex: Men are at higher risk to develop acute myeloid leukaemia compared to women
• Exposure to chemicals: Exposure to harmful substances such as benzene increases the risk to develop acute myeloid leukaemia
• Hereditary: Family history of cancer or other genetic disorders are associated with an increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia
• Race and ethnicity: White people are at increased risk to develop acute myeloid leukaemia compared to other population groups
• Exposure to radiations such as previous radiotherapy treatment increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia.
• Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia

Complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

A weaker immune system is a common complication of acute myeloid leukaemia, leading to various infections. Other complications could include anaemia, nerve damage, kidney problems, weight loss, fertility problems, unexplained fever, bleeding, etc. Untreated acute myeloid leukaemia can spread to other tissues and organs and lead to death.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Preventions

Primary Prevention of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Although there is nothing much you can do to prevent the onset of acute myeloid leukaemia, you can follow the below-mentioned preventive tips to reduce the risk of developing it:

• Quit smoking: Smoking is a critical risk factor, and you should quit smoking to reduce the risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia.
• Avoid exposure to chemicals: Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals such as benzene, etc.
• Avoid radiations: Avoid exposure to radiations that have the potential to cause acute myeloid leukaemia.

Secondary Prevention of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Secondary prevention aims to reduce the risk of complications and recurrences. The following measure can be taken:

• Regular follow-ups: Follow-ups should be made as per the schedule to assess the recovery, risk of recurrence, and overall quality of life.
• Symptom watch-out: Always look for symptoms of recurrence or complications and seek immediate medical attention.
• Lifestyle: Exercise regularly and eat a well-balanced diet.
• Manage weight and diabetes: Managing diabetes, obesity, and weight will help to reduce the chances of complications or recurrences.
• Awareness: Being aware of the disease and having realistic expectations helps better planning and management.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Epidemiology

• Advanced age increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia, and the median age of developing it is 70 years.
• Acute myeloid leukaemia is more prevalent in the White population compared to others.
• Acute myeloid leukaemia is more common in males compared to females.

Expected Prognosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The prognosis of acute myeloid leukaemia depends on the age, stage of cancer, and response to treatment. The treatment is more effective in the initial stages, and the survival rate is higher. The chances of 5-year survival are 10% in therapy-treated patients.

Natural Progression of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The progression of acute myeloid leukaemia is relatively rapid, and it can spread to other organs and tissues. If left untreated, it can get lethal in a few weeks to a few months.

Pathophysiology of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukaemia is a blood and bone marrow cancer characterised by genetic mutations in the hematopoiesis pathways. The mutations lead to defects in DNA structure, causing an undifferentiated growth of the myeloid precursors in the bone marrow and blood, leading to bone marrow failure and the presentation of acute myeloid leukaemia.

Related Blogs

• Understanding Blood Cancer & Its Symptoms
• Bone Marrow Transplant - Make Your Bone Marrow Healthy Again
• What is Cancer and Its Different Types?