Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is a rare disease, accounting for around 0.8% of all diagnosed cancers. This type of cancer affects a group of white blood cells called myeloid cells, which normally develop into various types of mature blood cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Acute myeloid leukemia occurs when a mutation changes bone marrow cells and causes them to continue growing and dividing unchecked. Normally, they grow at a set rate and die at a specified time. As the blood cell production becomes excessive, the bone marrow also starts producing immature cells that develop into leukemic white blood cells called myeloblasts. These abnormal cells are unable to function properly and can build up and crowd out healthy cells.
The accumulation of these dysfunctional blast cells in the bone marrow leads to a decrease in the production of normal blood cells, including red blood cells (causing anemia), platelets (causing bleeding problems), and functional white blood cells (weakening the immune system).
The progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can vary widely from person to person. AML is considered an aggressive type of leukemia, and its progression is generally rapid compared to other forms of leukemia. The disease can evolve over a matter of weeks to a few months. However, the specific speed of progression can depend on several factors, including the subtype of AML, genetic and molecular factors, the patient’s overall health, the response to treatment, and the patient’s age.
If acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is left untreated, it can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. The disease is aggressive and progresses rapidly, leading to a number of complications that can significantly impact a person’s health. Some of the potential outcomes of untreated AML include low blood cell count, infections, bleeding disorders, organ dysfunction and hemorrhage.

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