Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rare type of cancer, in which the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. These cells can crowd the bone marrow, preventing it from making the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that the body needs.
While AML is more common in adults, teenagers and young adults can also be affected. The symptoms include fatigue, fever, frequent infections, weight loss, bleeding or bruising easily, and discomfort in bones or joints. It can lead to serious complications if not caught early and treated promptly.
The exact cause of AML is unknown, but certain genetic mutations (changes) and exposure to certain chemicals and radiation may increase the risk. Treatment usually includes chemotherapy and might also include a stem cell transplant.
Teenagers and young adults with AML may have a different experience with the disease compared to children and older adults since their bodies are at a different growth and developmental stage, which can affect the disease, its treatment and the potential long-term effects. Therefore, these patients often need treatment that is specifically tailored to their age and stage in life.
Supportive care, including nutritional support, pain management, and psychological support, is also crucial for teenagers and young adults with AML. It’s important to connect with support networks and seek help from health professionals who specialize in adolescent and young adult cancer care.
Causes of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that starts in cells that would normally develop into different types of blood cells. It’s two to three times more common in adults than in children, and it’s rare in people under 45. However, it can also affect teenagers and young adults.
The direct causes for AML are not well understood yet, but scientists have identified several factors that could contribute to its development:
1. Genetic Factors: Certain genetic disorders like Down syndrome can increase the risk of AML.
2. Exposure to high levels of radiation: Exposure to high levels of radiation is a known risk factor for AML. Measurements from atomic bomb survivors showed that the risk of leukemia increased noticeably when exposed to a large amount of radiation.
3. Chemical Exposure: Long-term exposure to certain chemicals like benzene, which is commonly used in the rubber industry, can increase the risk of AML.
4. Previous Cancer Treatment: Certain chemotherapy and radiation therapies used to treat other types of cancer can increase the risk of AML.
5. Certain Blood Disorders: Conditions like myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of bone marrow disorder, and certain types of anemia can also increase the risk of AML.
6. Smoking: Smoking cigarettes exposes the body to harmful chemicals that can cause mutations in the bone marrow cells, which increases the risk of AML.
It’s worth noting that while these factors increase the risk, they don’t directly cause AML. Many people who develop the condition don’t have any of these risk factors, and many people who do have one or more risk factors never develop AML. The development of AML is usually a result of a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
Risk Factors of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Although it primarily affects adults, it can also occur in teenagers and young adults. The exact cause of AML is unknown, but there are several risk factors associated. These include:
1. Genetics: Certain genetic disorders like Down’s syndrome and Fanconi anaemia increase the risk of developing AML.
2. Exposure to Radiation: People exposed to high levels of radiation, as in the case of nuclear accidents, are at a higher risk.
3. Previous Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy: Treatment involving chemotherapy or radiation therapy can make a person more likely to develop AML later in life.
4. Exposure to Certain Chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals like benzene, which is often used in the rubber industry, can increase the risk of AML.
5. Smoking: Smoking exposes people’s lungs to benzene and other harmful chemicals, which can increase their risk of developing AML.
6. Blood Disorders: People with a history of certain blood disorders, like myelodysplastic syndrome, are at higher risk.
7. Gender and Age: While not unique to teenagers and young adults, AML is more common in males and in older individuals.
While these risk factors do increase the odds, it’s important to note that many individuals with multiple risk factors never develop the disease, while some with zero identified risk factors may still get it. This indicates the presence of unknown factors in the development of AML. Also, it’s not really common in teenagers and young adults, but if such age groups are diagnosed, it’s usually more aggressive and they may have to go through more intense treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. In teenagers and young adults, symptoms can vary but often include:
1. Fatigue and Weakness: This is because the body isn’t creating enough healthy blood cells, leaving the person feeling exhausted or weak.
2. Frequent Infections: A deficient immune system due to low white blood cell count can result in repeated infections. Such infection could be mild like flu-like symptoms or puede be severe.
3. Fever: Related to infections, fevers can also occur regularly.
4. Pale Skin: Lack of red blood cells can result in a pale or sallow complexion.
5. Shortness of Breath/Difficulty in Breathing: This could be due to a lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
6. Unexplained Weight Loss: Weight loss without any changes in diet or exercises can be a symptom of AML.
7. Bruising or Bleeding: This happens due to fewer platelets in the blood, which help the blood clot. People with AML may notice they bruise easily, or they may have nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
8. Bone and Joint Pain: Leukemia cells can collect in the joints and bones causing pain.
9. Petechiae: These are tiny red spots on the skin, caused by bleeding under the skin.
Keep in mind that these are common symptoms and may also be attributed to other health conditions. If any of these symptoms are present and persist, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation. Early detection has a crucial role in the successful treatment of AML.
Diagnosis Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It’s called ‘acute’ because it progresses quickly and requires immediate treatment. ‘Myeloid’ refers to the type of cell that the cancer starts in.
In teenagers and young adults, AML is considered relatively rare. The disease begins in the bone marrow (the soft, inner part of the bones), where new cells, stem cells, develop into mature blood cells; red blood cells (to carry oxygen), platelets (to help stop bleeding), and white blood cells (to fight infections). In AML, the process of stem cells developing into these mature blood cells is disrupted by the rapid, uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells fill up the bone marrow leading to a decreased number of normal healthy cells.
Symptoms of AML in teenagers and young adults can include fatigue, fever, frequent infections, bleeding and bruising easily, weight loss, and bone or joint pain. These symptoms are due to the lack of normal healthy blood cells.
The cause of AML is often not known. However, certain factors can increase the risk such as exposure to certain chemicals (like benzene), radiation exposure, certain blood disorders and specific genetic disorders.
AML is often diagnosed through blood tests, bone marrow tests, and genetic testing. Treatment for AML typically includes chemotherapy, and can also include stem cell transplant, targeted therapy or other forms of treatment depending on the individual’s specific condition, age, overall health and personal choice.
Importantly, while AML can be a severe illness, many cases, particularly in younger people, can respond well to treatment, and research is ongoing to improve the diagnosis, understanding and management of this disease.
Treatment of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) treatment in teenagers and young adults typically involves a few phases, including remission induction therapy, consolidation therapy, and potentially stem cell transplantation.
1. Remission Induction Therapy: This is the first phase of treatment aimed at killing as many leukemia cells as possible and bringing the disease into remission. Treatment includes chemotherapy drugs, which are usually given intravenously. Common drugs used include daunorubicin, idarubicin, cytarabine, and sometimes etoposide.
2. Consolidation Therapy: After induction therapy has brought the leukemia into remission, the next step is typically consolidation or post-remission therapy. The purpose is to kill any remaining leukemia cells that may not be active, but could begin to regrow and cause a relapse. This usually involves high doses of cytarabine, sometimes in combination with other drugs such as anthracyclines or fludarabine.
3. Stem Cell Transplantation: Patients with certain types of AML or those who can’t achieve remission with chemotherapy may go under a stem cell transplant. This process involves delivering very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy all leukemia cells and the bone marrow that produces them. Afterwards, the patient receives infusions of stem cells, usually from a compatible donor, to help recover their bone marrow.
In some cases, targeted therapy drugs might be used in treating AML. This depends on certain characteristics of the leukemic cells.
All these treatments can have serious side effects, and therefore it’s crucial to have ongoing support and management of side effects during the treatment. While the treatment for AML can be quite intense, teenagers and young adults generally tolerate it better than older adults.
Also, it’s important to note that treatment plans vary greatly depending on numerous factors such as the subtype of AML, the patient’s overall health, the presence of specific gene mutations in the leukemia cells, and the patient’s preferences. Therefore, it’s a discussion that should be held with a patient’s oncology team.
Medications commonly used for Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow. Treatment for this condition usually involves a combination of chemotherapy and sometimes targeted therapy drugs.
1. Chemotherapy: This is the main form of treatment for AML. It consists of drugs that kill off the cancer cells. Different combinations of chemotherapy drugs may be used. Common ones for AML include cytarabine (Ara-C), daunorubicin (Cerubidine), and idarubicin (Idamycin).
2. Targeted Therapy: Targeted drugs work specifically on certain parts of cancer cells, making them less likely to grow and divide. Examples for AML include midostaurin (Rydapt), enasidenib (Idhifa), and gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg). These drugs are typically used if the AML cells have certain genetic mutations.
3. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT): It’s used for cases where AML is likely to come back after standard treatment. It involves high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation to kill the cancer cells followed by an infusion of blood-forming stem cells.
4. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy involves using medications to stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. This therapy may include drugs like nivolumab (Opdivo), pembrolizumab(Keytruda), etc.
These are the medications used in treatment, but the specific plan for each person can vary depending on a number of factors, including their overall health, the subtype of AML they have, and genetic factors. Always remember, the treatment choice and course should be discussed thoroughly with the oncologist taking into consideration the risks and benefits.
Prevention of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow cells. While risk factors such as exposure to certain chemicals and radiation or having a family history of blood disorders can’t always be avoided, there are a few steps teenagers and young adults can take to minimize their chances of developing AML:
1. Avoid Exposure to Certain Chemicals: Exposure to certain deadly chemicals often found in pesticides, tobacco smoke, and industrial chemicals can potentially increase the risk of developing AML. Try to avoid exposure to these as much as possible.
2. Limit Exposure to Radiation: Avoid unnecessary exposure to high levels of radiation, like radiation-based therapies or radiation from atomic bombs. The risk of developing leukemia increases with the radiation dose.
3. Live a Healthy Lifestyle: This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and maintaining a normal body weight. This can help to keep the immune system healthy, which could reduce the risk of leukemia and other types of cancer.
4. Don’t Smoke: Smoking tobacco is a known cause of AML. If you do smoke, try to quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
5. Regular Check-ups: Regular medical checkups can catch diseases in the early stage and increase the chances of successful treatments.
Remember, there is no sure way to prevent AML, especially since some risk factors like genetic predisposition are out of our control. More research is needed to understand the causes and preventions of this disease. If you have a concern about a potential risk factor, discussing it with your doctor would be the best course of action.
FAQ’s about Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Here are some of the commonly asked questions about AML in teenagers and young adults:
1. What is AML?
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that starts from young white blood cells called granulocytes or monocytes in the bone marrow.
2. What causes AML in teenagers and young adults?
The exact cause of AML isn’t known, but certain genetic mutations and conditions, exposure to radiation or certain chemicals, a previous treatment for cancer, and certain genetic syndromes can increase the risk.
3. What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, fever, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, weight loss, and bone pain.
4. How is AML diagnosed?
AML is diagnosed through a series of tests including blood tests, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, cytogenetic analysis, and flow cytometry.
5. How is AML treated in teenagers and young adults?
Treatment options mainly include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplant, and supportive care.
6. What are the survival rates for AML in teenagers and young adults?
Many factors can affect survival rates, including the type and stage of AML, the patient’s overall health, and their response to treatment. Generally, younger patients have a better prognosis than older patients.
7. How does AML affect daily life?
During treatment, patients may experience side effects like fatigue, hair loss, or nausea, and may need to take time off school/work. There might be the need for lifestyle adjustment, psychological assistance, and support from friends and family.
8. Are there any support groups or resources available for teenagers and young adults with AML?
Yes, there are various organizations and online communities that provide support and resources for young people with AML and their families.
9. Is there any way to prevent AML?
There’s no proven way to prevent most cases of AML. The best approach is to live a healthy lifestyle, and avoid exposure to radiation and certain chemicals when possible.
Always remember, if you or a loved one suspect any symptoms related to AML, consult a medical professional. The information provided here is to better assist you in understanding the disease, not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Useful links
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a type of cancer that originates in the blood and bone marrow. It progresses quickly if not treated. For teenagers and young adults (TYAs), this can have a significant physiological, emotional, and social impact.
Here are some useful links from various medical journals discussing AML in teenagers and young adults:
Please note that some documents might require subscriptions or purchase for full access. Always refer to these documents under the guidance of a healthcare professional or specialist.
Complications of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rare but serious type of cancer that affects the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. It is more common in older adults, but it can affect people of all ages, including teenagers and young adults. Here are some potential complications:
1. Fatigue and weakness: Due to the increased production of cancerous cells that do not function as normal blood cells would. This leads to less oxygen transport in the body, causing fatigue.
2. Increased risk of infections: White blood cells (leukocytes) play a key role in fighting off infections. With AML, there is an overproduction of abnormal white cells that are unable to carry out this function, thus leaving the patient more susceptible to infections.
3. Bleeding problems: AML affects the production of platelets, which are necessary for blood clotting. A decrease in platelets can lead to excessive bleeding, even from minor injuries.
4. Organ complications: The build-up of leukemia cells may affect other organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidneys, leading to potential organ damage.
5. Effect on physical development: In teenagers, the treatment of AML could potentially interrupt normal growth and development, including puberty.
6. Psychological impact: The diagnosis and ongoing treatment of AML can lead to significant stress, anxiety, depression, and a sense of isolation.
7. Side effects of treatment: Both chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation come with their own set of side effects and potential complications. These may include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, infections, organ damage, increased risk of other cancers in the future, and fertility issues.
It’s recommended to have ongoing discussions with a healthcare team to monitor and manage these complications effectively. Support programs can also be beneficial for young patients to cope better with their diagnosis and treatment journey.
Home remedies of Acute myeloid leukaemia: Teenagers and young adults
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a serious type of cancer that generally requires strong medical interventions and treatments. However, there are some home care strategies that may be beneficial for supporting the overall health of a person diagnosed with AML. Keep in mind, none of these home remedies can replace professional medical care but they may help support the body during treatment.
1. Balanced diet: Proper nutrition is important when going through any cancer treatment, as the body needs additional help to repair and heal. Meals rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains can provide essential nutrients.
2. Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management practices like meditation or yoga may help to improve overall wellbeing. However, it’s important to seek advice from the treating doctor before any strenuous activity.
3. Hydration: Staying hydrated is crucial, as it helps in flushing out the toxins from the body.
4. Avoid Infections: As the immune system is weakened during treatment, it’s vital to maintain a high level of personal hygiene, stay away from crowded places and avoid contact with sick people.
5. Mental Health Support: Having emotional and psychological support is important. This may be in the form of a counselor, a support group, close friends or family.
6. Herbal and Natural Supplements: Some people find herbal aids, such as ginger tea, helpful in managing side effects like nausea. However, it is crucial to consult with a doctor before using any supplements, as they can interfere with treatments.
Remember, these are supplementary to medical treatments and not replacements. It is critical to receive treatment from a healthcare professional, including chemotherapy or other medications. Regular check-ups and consultations with the doctor should always be the priority.