Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a big number of abnormal blood cells.
Leukemia may affect carmine blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
There are different subtypes of AML.
Smoking, previous chemotherapy handling, and exposure to radiation may touch on the risk of AML.
Signs and symptoms of AML include fever, feeling tired, and easy bruising or bleeding.
Tests that examine the blood and os marrow are used to diagnose AML.
Certain factors affect prognosis (take chances of recovery) and handling options.
Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a big number of abnormal blood cells.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the claret and bone marrow. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. This blazon of cancer usually gets worse rapidly if it is non treated. AML is also chosen acute myelogenous leukemia and astute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
EnlargeAnatomy of the bone. The os is fabricated upward of meaty os, spongy bone, and bone marrow. Compact bone makes upwardly the outer layer of the bone. Spongy bone is found mostly at the ends of basic and contains scarlet marrow. Os marrow is found in the middle of near bones and has many claret vessels. At that place are 2 types of bone marrow: red and yellowish. Red marrow contains blood stem cells that can become red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Yellow marrow is made mostly of fatty.
Leukemia may affect red claret cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Normally, the os marrow makes claret stalk cells (immature cells) that become mature blood cells over fourth dimension. A blood stem cell may become a myeloid stem jail cell or a lymphoid stem cell. A lymphoid stem jail cell becomes a white claret cell.
A myeloid stem cell becomes one of three types of mature blood cells:
Red blood cells that acquit oxygen and other substances to all tissues of the body.
Granulocytes, which are white blood cells that help fight infection and disease.
Platelets that class blood clots to stop bleeding.
EnlargeBlood cell development. A blood stalk jail cell goes through several steps to go a red blood prison cell, platelet, or white claret cell.
In AML, the myeloid stalk cells usually go a type of immature white claret cell called myeloblasts (or myeloid blasts). The myeloblasts in AML are abnormal and do not become healthy white blood cells. Sometimes in AML, too many stalk cells become abnormal cherry blood cells or platelets. These aberrant white claret cells, reddish blood cells, or platelets are also called leukemia cells or blasts. Leukemia cells tin can build upward in the os marrow and claret so there is less room for good for you white claret cells, red blood cells, and platelets. When this happens, infection, anemia, or easy bleeding may occur.
The leukemia cells can spread exterior the blood to other parts of the trunk, including the primal nervous arrangement (brain and spinal cord), peel, and gums. Sometimes leukemia cells form a solid tumor called a myeloid sarcoma. Myeloid sarcoma is as well called extramedullary myeloid tumor, granulocytic sarcoma, or chloroma.
This summary is about adult AML. Encounter the following PDQ summaries for information related to AML:
There are different subtypes of AML.
Most AML subtypes are based on how mature (developed) the cancer cells are at the time of diagnosis and how dissimilar they are from normal cells.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of AML. This leukemia occurs when genes on chromosome fifteen switch places with some genes on chromosome 17 and an abnormal factor called PML-RARA is made. The PML-RARA gene sends a message that stops promyelocytes (a type of white blood jail cell) from maturing. Bug with severe bleeding and blood clots may occur. This is a serious health problem that needs treatment as soon equally possible. APL usually occurs in middle-anile adults.
Smoking, previous chemotherapy treatment, and exposure to radiation may affect the risk of AML.
Anything that increases your gamble of getting a disease is chosen a take chances cistron. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that yous will not become cancer. Talk with your dr. if you retrieve y'all may be at risk. Possible chance factors for AML include the following:
Being male.
Older age.
Smoking.
Having had treatment with chemotherapy or radiations therapy in the past.
Existence exposed to radiation in the environment (such equally nuclear radiation) or to the chemical benzene.
Having a personal history of a claret disorder such as myelodysplastic syndrome.
Having sure syndromes or inherited disorders.
Signs and symptoms of AML include fever, feeling tired, and piece of cake bruising or bleeding.
The early signs and symptoms of AML may be like those acquired by the influenza or other common diseases. Check with your doctor if you accept whatever of the following:
Weakness.
Fever.
Infection.
Paleness or loss of normal skin color.
Haemorrhage.
Less common signs or symptoms may be acquired past clusters of leukemia cells in the central nervous organization (CNS) or testicles, or a tumor of myeloid cells called a chloroma.
Symptoms of acute leukemia often develop betwixt 4 and 6 weeks before diagnosis.
Tests that examine the claret and bone marrow are used to diagnose AML.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
Physical exam and health history: An exam of the body to cheque general signs of wellness, including checking for signs of disease, such every bit lumps or annihilation else that seems unusual. A history of the patient'southward wellness habits and past illnesses and treatments volition as well be taken.
Complete blood count (CBC): A process in which a sample of blood is fatigued and checked for the following:
The number of cherry claret cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.
The portion of the sample made up of blood-red claret cells.
OverstateConsummate claret count (CBC). Blood is collected past inserting a needle into a vein and assuasive the claret to flow into a tube. The blood sample is sent to the laboratory and the scarlet blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are counted. The CBC is used to examination for, diagnose, and monitor many different conditions.
Peripheral blood smear: A procedure in which a sample of blood is checked for blast cells, the number and kinds of white blood cells, the number of platelets, and changes in the shape of blood cells.
Flow cytometry: A laboratory test that measures the number of cells in a sample, the percentage of alive cells in a sample, and certain characteristics of the cells, such every bit size, shape, and the presence of tumor (or other) markers on the cell surface. The cells from a sample of a patient's claret, bone marrow, or other tissue are stained with a fluorescent dye, placed in a fluid, and then passed ane at a time through a beam of light. The test results are based on how the cells that were stained with the fluorescent dye react to the axle of light. This examination is used to help diagnose and manage certain types of cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: The removal of bone marrow, claret, and a small piece of bone by inserting a hollow needle into the hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist views the bone marrow, claret, and bone under a microscope to expect for signs of cancer. OverstateBone marrow aspiration and biopsy. After a pocket-sized surface area of pare is numbed, a bone marrow needle is inserted into the patient'southward hip bone. Samples of claret, bone, and bone marrow are removed for examination under a microscope.
Tumor biopsy: A biopsy of a tumor made up of leukemia cells, also known as a myeloid sarcoma (chloroma), may be done.
Cytogenetic assay: A laboratory test in which the chromosomes of cells in a sample of blood or bone marrow are counted and checked for any changes, such as cleaved, missing, rearranged, or extra chromosomes. Changes in certain chromosomes may be a sign of cancer. Cytogenetic analysis is used to assistance diagnose cancer, plan treatment, or detect out how well treatment is working. Other tests, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), may as well be done to expect for certain changes in the chromosomes.
Molecular testing: A laboratory test to check for certain genes, proteins, or other molecules in a sample of blood or bone marrow. Molecular tests also check for sure changes in a gene or chromosome that may crusade or affect the chance of developing AML. A molecular test may be used to help plan treatment, find out how well handling is working, or make a prognosis.
Immunophenotyping: A laboratory test that uses antibodies to identify cancer cells based on the types of antigens or markers on the surface of the cells. This exam is used to help diagnose specific types of leukemia. For example, a cytochemistry study may examination the cells in a sample of tissue using chemicals (dyes) to expect for certain changes in the sample. A chemic may cause a color alter in one blazon of leukemia cell but not in another type of leukemia cell.
Contrary transcription–polymerase chain reaction exam (RT–PCR): A laboratory test in which the corporeality of a genetic substance chosen mRNA made by a specific gene is measured. An enzyme chosen reverse transcriptase is used to catechumen a specific slice of RNA into a matching piece of Deoxyribonucleic acid, which can exist amplified (made in large numbers) by another enzyme called DNA polymerase. The amplified Deoxyribonucleic acid copies help tell whether a specific mRNA is being made by a cistron. RT-PCR can be used to check the activation of sure genes that may indicate the presence of cancer cells. This examination may be used to await for certain changes in a factor or chromosome, which may help diagnose cancer. This test is used to diagnose certain types of AML including acute leukemia (APL).
Sure factors affect prognosis (hazard of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis and treatment options depend on:
The historic period of the patient. Older age at diagnosis may be linked to lower remission rates and more than complications.
Whether the leukemia has spread to the cardinal nervous organisation.
Whether the patient has a systemic infection at the fourth dimension of diagnosis.
Whether the patient has a very high white blood cell count at the fourth dimension of diagnosis.
The subtype of AML.
Whether the patient received chemotherapy or radiations therapy in the by to treat a different cancer.
Whether there is a history of a blood disorder such every bit myelodysplastic syndrome.
Whether the cancer has been treated before or recurred (come back).
It is important that acute leukemia be treated right away.
Stages of Astute Myeloid Leukemia
Key Points
Once astute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been diagnosed, tests are washed to notice out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
In that location is no standard staging system for AML.
Once acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been diagnosed, tests are washed to find out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the torso.
The extent or spread of cancer is usually described equally stages. In astute myeloid leukemia (AML), the subtype of AML and whether the leukemia has spread outside the blood and bone marrow are used instead of the stage to programme treatment.
The post-obit tests and procedures may be used to determine if the leukemia has spread:
Lumbar puncture: A procedure used to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal column. This is washed by placing a needle betwixt two bones in the spine and into the CSF effectually the spinal cord and removing a sample of the fluid. The sample of CSF is checked under a microscope for signs that leukemia cells have spread to the brain and spinal cord. This procedure is too called an LP or spinal tap.EnlargeLumbar puncture. A patient lies in a curled position on a table. After a minor area on the lower back is numbed, a spinal needle (a long, thin needle) is inserted into the lower function of the spinal column to remove cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, shown in blue). The fluid may be sent to a laboratory for testing.
CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of the abdomen, taken from different angles. The pictures are made past a computer linked to an ten-ray motorcar. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
At that place is no standard staging system for AML.
The affliction is described every bit untreated, in remission, refractory, or recurrent.
Newly diagnosed (untreated) AML
In untreated AML, the illness is newly diagnosed. Information technology has not been treated except to relieve signs and symptoms such as fever, bleeding, or pain, and the post-obit are truthful:
The complete claret count is abnormal.
At least 20% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts (leukemia cells) or at that place are certain gene changes.
There are signs or symptoms of leukemia.
AML in remission
In AML in remission, the disease has been treated and the post-obit are true:
The complete blood count is normal.
Less than v% of the cells in the os marrow are blasts (leukemia cells).
There are no signs or symptoms of leukemia in the brain and spinal cord or elsewhere in the body.
Refractory or recurrent AML
After treatment with chemotherapy, some patients with newly diagnosed AML will not go into remission. This is called refractory cancer. In dissimilarity, recurrent AML is cancer that has recurred (come back) afterward remission. The AML may come dorsum in the blood or bone marrow.
Treatment Option Overview
Central Points
At that place are dissimilar types of treatment for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
The treatment of AML ordinarily has ii phases.
Patients receive supportive care for side furnishings of treatment.
Five types of treatment are used:
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy with stem cell transplant
Targeted therapy
Other drug therapy
New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials.
Handling for acute myeloid leukemia may cause side effects.
Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial.
Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or afterwards starting their cancer treatment.
Follow-up tests may exist needed.
In that location are different types of treatment for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Dissimilar types of treatment are bachelor for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. A treatment clinical trial is a inquiry study meant to assistance meliorate current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. When clinical trials evidence that a new treatment is amend than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment. Patients may want to recollect near taking office in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open merely to patients who have not started treatment.
The handling of AML commonly has two phases.
The 2 handling phases of AML are:
Remission induction therapy: This is the commencement stage of treatment. The goal is to impale the leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow. This puts the leukemia into remission.
Postremission therapy: This is the second stage of handling. It begins later the leukemia is in remission. The goal of postremission therapy is to kill whatsoever remaining leukemia cells that may not be active simply could begin to regrow and crusade a relapse. This phase is too called remission continuation therapy.
Patients receive supportive care for side effects of handling.
Patients must exist closely monitored during handling of AML. Myelosuppression, a condition which results in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, is a side effect of both AML and treatment with chemotherapy. Supportive care during remission induction therapy may include:
Red claret cell and platelet transfusions.
Antibiotics and antifungals for treatment of infections.
5 types of treatment are used:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to terminate the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or past stopping them from dividing. When chemotherapy is taken by rima oris or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can accomplish cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (intrathecal chemotherapy), an organ, or a torso cavity such equally the belly, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy). Intrathecal chemotherapy may exist used to treat adult AML that has spread to the encephalon and spinal string. Combination chemotherapy is treatment using more than than ane anticancer drug.
The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the subtype of AML existence treated and whether leukemia cells have spread to the brain and spinal string.
EnlargeIntrathecal chemotherapy. Anticancer drugs are injected into the intrathecal space, which is the infinite that holds the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, shown in blueish). There are two different ways to exercise this. 1 way, shown in the top part of the effigy, is to inject the drugs into an Ommaya reservoir (a dome-shaped container that is placed nether the scalp during surgery; it holds the drugs every bit they flow through a pocket-sized tube into the brain). The other manner, shown in the bottom role of the figure, is to inject the drugs direct into the CSF in the lower part of the spinal cavalcade, afterwards a pocket-size area on the lower back is numbed.
See Drugs Approved for Acute Myeloid Leukemia for more data.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer handling that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. External radiation therapy uses a motorcar outside the torso to ship radiation toward the area of the body with cancer. Total-body irradiation sends radiation toward the whole trunk. It is a blazon of external radiation that may be used to prepare the body for a stem cell transplant when the leukemia has recurred.
Chemotherapy with stem cell transplant
Chemotherapy is given to kill cancer cells. Healthy cells, including blood-forming cells, are also destroyed by the cancer treatment. Stem jail cell transplant is a treatment to replace the blood-forming cells. Stem cells (immature blood cells) are removed from the blood or os marrow of the patient or a donor and are frozen and stored. Later on the patient completes chemotherapy and/or total-body irradiation, the stored stem cells are thawed and given dorsum to the patient through an infusion. These reinfused stem cells grow into (and restore) the trunk's blood cells.
EnlargeStem prison cell transplant. (Step ane): Blood is taken from a vein in the arm of the donor. The patient or some other person may be the donor. The claret flows through a machine that removes the stem cells. And so the claret is returned to the donor through a vein in the other arm. (Step two): The patient receives chemotherapy to kill blood-forming cells. The patient may receive radiation therapy (not shown). (Step 3): The patient receives stem cells through a catheter placed into a blood vessel in the chest.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a blazon of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells. Targeted therapies usually cause less harm to normal cells than chemotherapy or radiation therapy do. There are different types of targeted therapy:
Monoclonal antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies are allowed system proteins fabricated in the laboratory to treat many diseases, including cancer. As a cancer handling, these antibodies tin attach to a specific target on cancer cells or other cells that may help cancer cells grow. The antibodies are able to then kill the cancer cells, block their growth, or keep them from spreading. Monoclonal antibodies are given by infusion. They may be used solitary or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive material directly to cancer cells. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is a blazon of antibody-drug cohabit used to treat patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed AML. It contains a monoclonal antibody that binds to CD33, which is found on some leukemia cells, and also contains a toxic substance, which may help kill cancer cells.
How do monoclonal antibodies work to treat cancer? This video shows how monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, pembrolizumab, and rituximab, cake molecules cancer cells need to grow, flag cancer cells for devastation by the trunk'southward immune system, or deliver harmful substances to cancer cells.
Other targeted therapies include:
Midostaurin, a protein kinase inhibitor used with certain types of chemotherapy to treat newly diagnosed patients with AML that has a mutation in the FLT3 gene.
Gilteritinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that may be used to care for patients with AML that has come back or did not become better with other handling and has a mutation in the FLT3 gene.
Glasdegib, ivosidenib, and enasidenib, which may be used as less intensive treatments in older or fragile patients who cannot receive standard treatment.
Run across Drugs Approved for Acute Myeloid Leukemia for more information.
Other drug therapy
Arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) are anticancer drugs that kill leukemia cells, end the leukemia cells from dividing, or help the leukemia cells mature into white blood cells. These drugs are used in the handling of a subtype of AML chosen astute promyelocytic leukemia.
Run into Drugs Approved for Acute Myeloid Leukemia for more information.
New types of treatment are existence tested in clinical trials.
This summary section describes treatments that are being studied in clinical trials. Information technology may not mention every new handling being studied. Information virtually clinical trials is available from the NCI website.
Handling for astute myeloid leukemia may cause side effects.
For information about side effects caused by treatment for cancer, come across our Side Effects folio.
Patients may desire to think about taking part in a clinical trial.
For some patients, taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment pick. Clinical trials are office of the cancer research procedure. Clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safety and effective or better than the standard treatment.
Many of today's standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. Patients who take part in a clinical trial may receive the standard treatment or be among the showtime to receive a new treatment.
Patients who take function in clinical trials besides help improve the way cancer will exist treated in the future. Even when clinical trials do not lead to effective new treatments, they ofttimes reply important questions and aid move research forward.
Patients can enter clinical trials earlier, during, or later on starting their cancer treatment.
Some clinical trials only include patients who have not nevertheless received handling. Other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better. There are also clinical trials that exam new ways to stop cancer from recurring (coming back) or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. Data about clinical trials supported by NCI tin be found on NCI's clinical trials search webpage. Clinical trials supported by other organizations tin be found on the ClinicalTrials.gov website.
Follow-up tests may be needed.
Some of the tests that were done to diagnose the cancer or to find out the stage of the cancer may be repeated. Some tests will be repeated in club to encounter how well the treatment is working. Decisions well-nigh whether to go along, change, or terminate treatment may exist based on the results of these tests.
Some of the tests volition continue to be done from time to time after handling has ended. The results of these tests can show if your status has inverse or if the cancer has recurred (come back). These tests are sometimes chosen follow-upwardly tests or check-ups.
Handling of Untreated Astute Myeloid Leukemia
Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Remission
Treatment of Refractory or Recurrent Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Handling of Astute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)
Handling of Recurrent Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)
To Learn More than About Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cancer
For more than data from the National Cancer Establish virtually adult acute myeloid leukemia, see the following:
For general cancer data and other resources from the National Cancer Institute, see the following:
Well-nigh This PDQ Summary
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