Acute Myeloid Leukemia

What is Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. Sometimes ( red cells which carry oxygen to all tissues) and ( platelets which help to clot blood) are affected.

Bone marrow is the spongy material that fills your bones. Leukaemia cells divide rapidly in the bone marrow preventing normal cells from growing. These leukaemic cells spill over into the blood and circulate around the body in the bloodstream. These cells don't mature and don't work properly. This leads to an increased risk of infection as well as symptoms such as anemia and bruising because fewer healthy red cells and platelets are made.

The smallest and earliest cells found in the bone marrow are called stem cells. Stem cells develop and mature into red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. Stem cells in the bone marrow produce two types of white blood cells. These are myeloid and lymphoid cells. Because the myeloid cells are affected in AML, the cells involved may be red cells, white cells or platelets.

The word acute describes the rapid progress of the disease if not treated.

What are the symptoms of AML

Tiredness
Repeated infections and fever
Weakness and shortness of breath
Bleeding and unexplained bruising
Aching bones and joints
Loss of appetite or weight loss

Leukaemia can be confirmed by a blood test

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for AML