Myeloid leukemia

Myeloid leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the myeloid cells in the bone marrow. It is characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal cells that build up in the bone marrow and blood, interfering with normal blood cell production.

Types

There are several types of myeloid leukemia, including:

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): This is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. It develops quickly and requires immediate treatment.
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): This type of leukemia usually develops slowly at first and may gradually get worse over time.
• Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML): This is a rare type of leukemia that usually occurs in children under the age of 2.
• Myelodysplastic syndromes: These are a group of diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood. They occur when the bone marrow produces immature, abnormal blood cells.

Symptoms

Symptoms of myeloid leukemia can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Bruising and bleeding
• Frequent infections

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of myeloid leukemia typically involves a series of tests, including:

• Blood tests: These can show the presence of abnormal cells and can also help determine the type of leukemia.
• Bone marrow tests: These involve taking a sample of bone marrow from the hip bone and examining it under a microscope to look for leukemia cells.
• Genetic tests: These can identify specific genes, proteins, and other factors unique to the leukemia.

Treatment

Treatment for myeloid leukemia depends on the type of leukemia, the patient's age and overall health, and other factors. Treatment options may include:

• Chemotherapy: This is the main treatment for most types of myeloid leukemia.
• Stem cell transplant: This procedure replaces the patient's diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow from a donor.
• Targeted therapy: This type of treatment targets specific genes or proteins that are found in leukemia cells.
• Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.

See also

• Leukemia
• Lymphoid leukemia
• Hematology
• Oncology

Myeloid leukemia Resources
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