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| About 10,600 new cases of acute myelogenous leukemia are diagnosed each year in the United States. AML results from acquired (not inherited) genetic damage to the DNA of developing cells in the bone marrow. The effects are: 1) the uncontrolled, exaggerated growth and accumulation of cells called "leukemic blasts" which fail to function as normal blood cells and 2) the blockade of the production of normal marrow cells, leading to a deficiency of red cells (anemia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia) and normal white cells (especially neutrophils, i.e. neutropenia) in the blood. Incidence; Causes & Development; Risk Factors About 15% of childhood leukemia cases are of acute myelogenous leukemia. Myeloblasts are undeveloped cells. If there are many myeloblasts but there are some cells developing towards fully formed blood cells, the added designation "with maturation" is used. In most cases the cause of AML is not evident. Several factors have been associated with an increased risk of disease. Older people are more likely to develop the disease. They tire more easily and may feel short of breath when physically active. Treatment & Prevention The subclassification of the disease is important. |
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