Acute Myelogenous Leukemia – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer that affects blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones where blood cells form.
AML gets its name from the myeloid cells it affects. These cells normally develop into different types of blood cells, including:
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
This disease progresses quickly, which is why doctors call it “acute.” It’s the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. People under 45 can get AML, but it happens more often in older adults.
Unlike many other cancers, doctors don’t use numbered stages (like stage 1, 2, 3, or 4) to describe AML. They use different methods to classify how serious the disease is.
Signs and Symptoms
People with acute myelogenous leukemia might notice several health changes. These can include fever and pain in areas like bones, back, and stomach.
Extreme tiredness is common. The skin may look pale or change color. Getting infections often happens because the body can’t fight germs well.
Bruising easily and bleeding for no clear reason, such as from the nose or gums, are typical signs. Some people also have trouble breathing.
When You Should Contact a Doctor
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have symptoms that don’t go away or concern you.
Many of these symptoms can also happen with common conditions like infections. Your doctor will likely check for these other causes first.
Getting medical advice early helps ensure proper diagnosis and care.
Causes
Acute myelogenous leukemia begins with changes in DNA within bone marrow cells. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are produced.
The DNA changes occur specifically in myeloid cells. These special bone marrow cells normally develop into various types of blood cells:
- Red blood cells – carry oxygen throughout the body
- Platelets – help form clots to stop bleeding
- White blood cells – fight infections
When DNA inside myeloid cells changes, it alters the normal instructions that control cell growth and lifespan.
Instead of following the usual pattern of controlled growth and eventual death, the altered cells receive different instructions.
These DNA changes cause myeloid cells to produce excessive immature white blood cells called myeloblasts. These myeloblasts don’t function properly and accumulate in the bone marrow.
As myeloblasts build up, they crowd out healthy blood cells. This crowding creates serious health problems:
- Too few red blood cells can lead to low oxygen levels.
- Decreased platelets can cause easy bruising and bleeding.
- Lack of functional white blood cells often results in frequent infections.
Scientists haven’t identified exactly what triggers these DNA changes in most cases. The process starts when something alters the genetic instructions within the bone marrow cells, but the initial cause often remains unknown.
Risk Factors
Several factors may raise your chances of developing acute myelogenous leukemia (AML):
- Age: Adults 65 and older face higher risk.
- Previous Cancer Treatments: Certain chemotherapy and radiation therapies increase risk.
- High Radiation Exposure: Such as during nuclear accidents.
- Chemical Exposure: Contact with benzene and other harmful chemicals.
- Smoking: Contains benzene and other cancer-causing substances.
- Existing Blood Disorders: Conditions like myelodysplasia or polycythemia vera.
- Genetic Conditions: Down syndrome and other genetic disorders.
- Family History: Having close relatives with blood or bone marrow problems.
Many people who develop AML have no known risk factors. Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean someone will definitely get this disease.
The connection between smoking and AML is particularly notable. Cigarettes contain benzene, which damages bone marrow where blood cells form. Those working in industries with chemical exposure should follow safety guidelines to reduce their risk.
