What is the full form of AML

AML: Acute Myeloid Leukemia

AML stands for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow where it affects the immature blood cells (myeloid cells) that are precursors to other blood cells like red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. It causes the myeloid cells to mutate and form leukemic blasts. Thus, it affects the formation of normal healthy cells. Eventually, there will be a shortage of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in the body of the affected person.

There are different types of AML based on the type of leukemic cells present in the blood and bone marrow. It is also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

AML is caused by unfavorable changes (mutations) in the genes of the DNA of myeloid cells present in the bone marrow. The exact reasons for these mutations are not known.

Symptoms

• Fever
• Pale skin
• Bone pain
• Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
• Frequent infections
• Shortness of breath
• Blood in urine
• Swollen lymph nodes

Risk Factors

• Increasing Age: It is more common in elders of age 65 or more.
• Gender: Men are more likely to develop AML than women.
• Radiations: For example, survivors of a nuclear reactor accident.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke contains benzene and other cancer-causing chemicals.
• Other blood disorders like myelodysplasia and myelofibrosis may increase the risk of AML.
• Genetic disorders like Down syndrome.
• Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene.

Various AML subtypes:

The majority of AML subtypes are determined by the cancer cells' maturity (development) and degree of divergence from normal cells at the time of diagnosis.

A subtype of AML is acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). An aberrant gene termed PML-RARA is created when several genes on chromosome 15 switch places with a few genes on chromosome 17, resulting in this leukaemia. A message is sent by the PML-RARA gene that prevents the maturation of promyelocytes, a kind of white blood cell. Blood clots and major bleeding issues could develop. This is a major health issue that requires immediate attention. APL typically affects individuals in their middle years.

Number of factors for prognosis (chances of recovery) and available treatments:

The prognosis and available therapies rely on:

• how old the patient is. Lower remission rates and higher problems may be associated with older age at diagnosis.
• whether the central nervous system has been affected by leukaemia.
• the existence of a systemic infection in the patient at the time of diagnosis.
• whether the patient's white blood cell count was extremely high at the time of diagnosis.
• the AML subtype.
• whether the patient had previously undergone radiation or chemotherapy for a different malignancy.
• whether a blood condition like myelodysplastic syndrome has a history.
• whether cancer has recurred after receiving treatment or not (come back).

Acute leukaemia must receive immediate medical attention.

Treatments:

• Patients with acute myeloid leukaemia might receive a variety of treatments.
• There are typically two phases of AML treatment.
• For treatment-related side effects, patients receive supportive care.
• There are five distinct types of therapy:
• Chemotherapy
• The use of radiation
• Combining chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
• Specific treatment
• Other medication therapy
• Clinical trials are being used to explore novel forms of treatment.
• There may be negative effects from acute myeloid leukaemia treatment.
• Patients might want to consider enrolling in a clinical study.
• Clinical trials can be enrolled in by patients before, during, or after the start of their cancer therapy.
• Testing afterward could be required.