Intense myelogenous leukemia

Overview

Intense myelogenous leukemia, also called AML, is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft matter inside bones where blood cells are made.

The word “acute” in intense myelogenous leukemia means the disease tends to get worse quickly. It’s called myelogenous (my-uh-LOHJ-uh-nus) leukemia because it affects cells called the myeloid cells. These normally become fully grown blood cells, consisting of red cell, leukocyte and platelets.

AML is the most typical kind of intense leukemia in grownups. The other type is severe lymphoblastic leukemia, also called ALL. Although AML can be detected at any age, it is less common before age 45. AML likewise is called intense myeloid leukemia, intense myeloblastic leukemia, severe granulocytic leukemia and severe nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Unlike other cancers, there are no numbered stages of severe myelogenous leukemia.Products & Solutions

Show more products from Mayo Clinic Signs of severe myelogenous leukemia might include: Fever. Discomfort. Common places

for pain include the bones, back and stomach. Feeling extremely worn out. Paleness or change

• in skin
• color. Regular infections. Easy bruising. Bleeding with no clear cause
• , such as in the nose or
• gums. Shortness of breath.
• When to see a physician Make
• an appointment with your
• healthcare expert if you have ongoing symptoms that stress you. Intense
• myelogenous leukemia signs resemble
  

  those of lots of more-common conditions, such as infections. The health care professional might check for those causes initially. Causes It’s typically not clear what triggers intense myelogenous leukemia. Health care professionals know that it begins when something causes modifications to the DNA inside cells in the bone marrow.

  The bone marrow is the spongy material inside bones. It’s where blood cells are made.

  The modifications that lead to severe myelogenous leukemia are believed to take place in cells called myeloid cells. Myeloid cells are bone marrow cells that can become the blood cells that flow through the body.

  Healthy myeloid cells can end up being: Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body. Platelets, which help stop bleeding. Leukocyte, which assist combat infections. Every cell in the body contains DNA. A cell’s DNA holds the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA offers instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate.

But when the DNA alters happen in the myeloid cells, the changes provide different directions. The myeloid cells start to make a lot of additional cells, and they don’t stop. The DNA alters cause the myeloid cells to make a lot of immature leukocyte, called myeloblasts. The myeloblasts do not work right. They can develop in the bone marrow. They can crowd out healthy blood cells. Without sufficient healthy

blood cells, there may be low oxygen levels in the blood, simple bruising and bleeding, and regular infections. Threat elements Factors that may increase the threat of severe myelogenous leukemia, also called AML, include: Older age. Intense myelogenous leukemia is most common in adults age 65 and older. Prior cancer treatment. People who’ve had specific types of chemotherapy and radiation

therapy might have a higher threat of AML. Radiation exposure. Individuals exposed to extremely high levels of radiation, such as an atomic power plant accident, have actually an increased risk of developing AML. Unsafe chemical direct exposure.

Particular chemicals, such as benzene, are connected to a higher threat of AML. Smoking cigarettes. AML is linked to cigarette smoke, which includes benzene

and other known cancer-causing chemicals. Other blood conditions. People who’ve had another blood disorder, such as myelodysplasia, myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera or thrombocythemia, are at greater threat of AML. Congenital diseases. Specific genetic disorders, such as Down

syndrome, are related to an increased risk of AML. Family history. People with a close blood relative, such as a brother or sister,

parent or grandparent with a blood or bone marrow disorder are at greater danger for AML. Many individuals with AML have no known danger factors, and lots of people who have risk

elements never develop the cancer. Oct. 25, 2024 Learn more about this cancer that forms in the blood and bone marrow. Treatments consist of medicines and bone marrow transplant, also called stem cell transplant.