Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Cont.)

Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Summary

The following points are important to keep in mind regarding adult myeloid leukemia:
 
  • Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell), red blood cells, or platelets.
 
  • There are different subtypes of AML.
 
  • Smoking, previous chemotherapy treatment, and exposure to radiation may affect the risk of developing adult AML.
 
  • Possible signs of adult AML include fever, feeling tired, and easy bruising or bleeding.
 
  • Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to detect (find) and diagnose adult AML.
 
  • Once adult AML has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
 
  • There is no standard staging system for adult AML.
 
  • Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options. The American Cancer Society estimated that 11,960 people (6,530 men and 5,430 women) would be diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2005.
 
(Click Acute Myeloid Leukemia Statistics for more AML statistics.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD