What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Why Should You Care?
What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Why Should You Care?
The Big Picture
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a serious blood cancer that affects many adults. Understanding its symptoms and risk factors can help you or someone you love catch it early.
Contents
- Understanding AML
- Who Gets AML?
- Recognizing Symptoms
Understanding AML
Acute Myeloid Leukemia is a type of cancer where abnormal blood cells grow rapidly in the bone marrow and blood. These cells crowd out normal cells, leading to symptoms like fatigue and infections. It's called 'acute' because it progresses quickly if not treated.
Who Gets AML?
AML is the most common acute leukemia in adults, especially those over 65, but it's rare in children. Your risk is higher if you've been exposed to certain chemicals or radiation, or if you have certain genetic conditions.
Recognizing Symptoms
Symptoms of AML include fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, and sometimes lumps or pain in the bones. These occur because the cancer cells interfere with normal blood cell production.
FAQs
What is AML?
AML is a fast-growing blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow.
Who is at risk for AML?
Older adults and those with certain genetic conditions or exposures are at higher risk.
What are common symptoms of AML?
Common symptoms include fatigue, infections, and easy bruising or bleeding.
Key Takeaways
Knowing the symptoms and risk factors of AML can lead to early detection and better outcomes.
Additional References
- Yamamoto JF, Goodman MT. Patterns of leukemia incidence in the United States by subtype and demographic characteristics, 1997-2002. Cancer Causes Control 2008; 19:379.
- Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer Statistics, 2017. CA Cancer J Clin 2017; 67:7.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.