Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a treatable cancer of the blood and bone marrow. AML is aggressive and the most common type of leukemia. The most effective method to treat AML involves patients receiving an unrelated bone marrow or cord blood unit transplant. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is also called acute myeloid leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Acute = rapid progression of the disease.

Myelogenous = the group of white blood cells that AML affects, called the myeloid cells.

AML is brought on by damage to the DNA of developing bone marrow cells, causing your body to produce immature cells that develop into leukemic white blood cells called myeloblasts. All of these irregular cells are not able to function effectively, and they can accumulate and push out healthier blood cells.

Symptoms

In the beginning, AML presents as the flu. If affected, you may experience:

Temperature
Bone pain
Listlessness and exhaustion
Difficulty breathing
Pale skin
Frequent infections
Easy bruising

What Causes AML?

Doctors still don’t know what brings about the genetic mutations that cause leukemia, but they have found these common factor:

The threat of acute myelogenous leukemia raises with your age. Acute myelogenous leukemia is almost always found in individuals age 65 and up.
Males are more likely to get AML.
Men and women who underwent past chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or treatment for childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia could have an increased chance of contracting AML.
Individuals subjected to extremely high amounts of radiation posses an elevated risk of developing AML.
Hazardous chemical substances – Being exposed to a number of toxins, like benzene is also related to increased risk of AML.
AML is associated with tobacco smoke, which as we all know contains benzene and other known cancer-causing toxins.
Additional blood ailments – Folks who may have experienced another blood condition, like myelodysplasia, polycythemia vera or thrombocythemia, tend to be at greater risk of establishing Aml.
Genetic diseases – Specific genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, are usually associated with an elevated risk of Aml.
A great number of people with Aml have virtually no known risk factors, and numerous individuals that have risk factors, for no reason, never acquire the cancer.
If you have indicators of acute myelogenous leukemia your physician may complete some tests.

If you or someone you know has developed AML or CLL after being exposed to chemicals at work, please contact us today at benzene@smslegal.com.