Acute Myeloid Leukemia

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Acute myeloid leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-ah) is also called acute myelogenous (mi-e-LOJ-e-nus) leukemia or AML. It is a fast-growing cancer of the bone marrow and blood cells. Children or adults can get it, but it occurs most often in older adults. There are a number of different kinds ("sub-types") of AML. If you have AML, you will need to get treatment as soon as possible. Your treatment will depend on things such as your age, health, and the sub-type of AML you have.

How does the body make blood? Bone marrow is the spongy red tissue inside your bones. The bone marrow makes stem cells. Stem cells become fully grown red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets. RBCs carry oxygen to all the organs and tissues of your body. WBCs help your body fight infection by attacking and killing germs. Platelets stop the bleeding when you are cut or injured. The blood cells grow in an orderly way and only as the body needs them.

How does AML change the way blood is made? With AML, certain stem cells that should become WBCs do not fully grow. Immature (not fully grown) AML cells are called myeloblasts and monoblasts. These cells do not grow in an orderly way. They crowd the bone marrow and prevent normal blood cells from growing and doing their jobs correctly. AML can spread from the bone marrow and blood to the spine, brain, and other parts of the body.

What causes AML? The exact cause of AML is not known. However, you may be at higher risk of having AML if:

• You have certain changes in your genes (DNA).
  
  
• You have had a bone marrow disease in the past.
  
  
• You have been exposed to high amounts of radiation, or have taken medicines such as chemotherapy.
  
  
• You have been exposed to chemicals such as pesticides or benzene (in tobacco, some paints and glues).
  
  
• You are over 60 years old.

• Abdominal (stomach) pain and discomfort due to a swollen spleen or liver.
  
  
• Bruise and bleed easily. This includes having nosebleeds often, swollen or bleeding gums, and more bleeding than usual from cuts. It also includes burst blood vessels in the eyes.
  
  
• Fatigue (feeling tired), weakness that does not go away, and pale skin.
  
  
• Fever.
  
  
• Headaches, confusion, and problems seeing.
  
  
• Infections, such as the cold or flu, do not get better or keep coming back.
  
  
• Loss of appetite (not hungry) or losing weight without trying.
  
  
• Painful bones or joints.
  
  
• Trouble breathing when you exercise.

• You may get treatment in phases (steps). In the first phase (induction phase), caregivers will give you treatment to make your AML go into remission. Remission means there are no longer any signs of leukemia. It may take weeks or months before you are in remission. Caregivers may need to change your treatment to help you go into remission. After you are in remission, you will get the next phase of treatment called post-remission treatment. Post-remission treatment may be done to kill any hidden leukemia cells and help you stay in remission.
  
  
• During treatment, you may take two or more cancer fighting medicines called chemotherapy ("chemo"). You may have a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant. During a transplant procedure, bone marrow or stem cells are put in your blood through an IV. The stem cells should go to your bone marrow and begin making new blood cells. Clinical trials (experimental treatments) may also be offered. After treatment, you may go into remission, and signs and symptoms of the disease may not return. AML treatments may even cure you of the disease. Even if you stay in remission or are cured, you will need to have follow up medical appointments often.

• Accepting that you have AML is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, depressed, angry, or sad. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a cancer support group. This is a group of people who also have cancer. Such a group can give you support and information.
  
  
• For more information call or write:

• American Cancer Society
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  Phone: 1-800-422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc.
  1311 Mamaroneck Avenue
  White Plains, NY 10605
  Phone: 1-914-949-5213
  Phone: 1-800-955-4572
  Web Address: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org