Acute myeloid leukemia, also commonly referred to as AML, is a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow. AML is an aggressive type of cancer that can cause life-threatening complications if left untreated. Dizziness, night sweats, frequent nosebleeds, loss of appetite, and pale skin are all signs of acute myeloid leukemia.
Consult with the best oncologists for acute myeloid leukemia treatment at the CK Birla Hospital.
Acute myeloid leukemia is caused when certain genes and chromosomes mutate creating abnormal cells. Exposure to chemicals, smoking, blood disorders, old age, radiation exposure can all increase the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia. AML affects the number of healthy red and white blood cells.
Chemotherapy: Treatment procedure involves using drugs to kill leukemia cells. There are three phases of chemotherapy: induction, consolidation and maintenance.
Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy involves targeting specific genetic mutations in the cancerous cells.
Maintenance Therapy: Treatment involves using low doses of chemotherapy that may continue for months or years.
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Treatment involves using healthy blood stem cells from a donor to replace bone marrow.
Chemotherapy: Typically costs ₹1,50,000 to ₹4,00,000 per cycle
Targeted Therapy: Priced between ₹3,00,000 to ₹12,00,000+ annually depending on drugs used
Maintenance Therapy: Costs approximately ₹1,00,000 to ₹3,00,000 per cycle or as per treatment duration
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Ranges from ₹20,00,000 to ₹50,00,000+ depending on hospital, donor matching, and complications
Note: The above costs are approximate and can vary based on factors such as the severity of the allergy, the specific treatment plan, the healthcare facility, and geographic location.
Anaemia: AML can cause bone marrow’s failure to produce enough red blood cells, leading to fatigue, breathlessness, and more.
Organ Infiltration: Untreated condition can cause the leukaemia cells to spread to organs like the liver, lymph nodes, etc, resulting in dysfunction.
Excessive Bleeding: Low platelet count can cause severe bleeding, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and easy bruising.
Frequent Infections: Untreated AML can lead to lack of healthy white blood cells resulting in weakening of the immune system increasing susceptibility to infections.
Bone Pain: Untreated condition can result in leukemia cells accumulating in the bone marrow causing pain and discomfort in the bone or joints.
Acute myeloid leukaemia is not preventable, though certain measures can help reduce risk, including:
Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check the number of white blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Peripheral Blood Smear: Tests involve examining blood cells to look for abnormal cells.
Bone Marrow Test: Involves removing a part of bone and marrow and examining it to identify leukemia cells.
Recovery from acute myeloid leukemia may vary depending on the type of treatment. Also, recovery from AML is considered a complex process that may take months to years, even after treatment is complete.
Acute myeloid leukemia is difficult to cure, currently, the only way to cure AML is through allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Initial signs of AML may include fever, fatigue, unexplained bruising or bleeding, and more.
AML is a rare form of cancer.
Lifespan post diagnosis of AML varies and depends on factors like age, overall health, type of AML, response to treatment, and more.
