Myelogenous LeukemiaMyelogenous leukemia is a cancer of the myeloid blood cells, generally found in patients with a median age of 70 years and only rarely in children. Acute myelogenous leukemia progresses quickly, while chronic myelogenous leukemia often has no symptoms and may remain dormant for years before developing a blast crisis.
Some forms of myelogenous leukemia are linked with certain chromosomal abnormalities that disrupt genes myeloid stem cells need to differentiate into specific blood components. Stem cells do not differentiate, but spill out into the blood uselessly, taking up space in the bloodstream and causing anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia as they suppress normal bone marrow processes.
Symptoms of myelogenous leukemia, besides the blood abnormalities, include fever, fatigue, weight loss, shortness of breath, easy bruising or bleeding, bone and joint pain, and persistent infections. Some people may experience petechiae, flat pinhead-size spots under the skin caused by subcutaneous bleeding. For the most part, it may look like the flu. Only a blood test can conclusively diagnose myelogenous leukemia.
Myelogenous leukemia is treated primarily by chemotherapy. A failure of primary chemotherapy may indicate the necessity of bone marrow transplant or more intensive chemotherapy. In all but 20-30% of sufferers, only a stem cell transplant is a likely cure.
Web Resources On Myelogenous Leukemia
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Book Resources On Myelogenous LeukemiaChronic Myelogenous Leukemia by Deisseroth
New developments in acute myelogenous leukemia by Jacob M. Rowe
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