Acute myeloid leukemia history and symptoms
|
Acute myeloid leukemia Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Acute myeloid leukemia history and symptoms On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Acute myeloid leukemia history and symptoms |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Acute myeloid leukemia history and symptoms |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2] Carlos A Lopez, M.D. [3]
Overview
Symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia include fever, fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite.
History and Symptoms
History
History about the following should be inquired while diagnosing acute myeloid leukemia:
- History of pre-existing hematological disorder (e.g aplastic anemia, PNH, myelofibrosis)
- History of exposure to anti-cancer chemotherapy agents especially alkylating agents
- History of exposure to ionizing radiation
- History of occupational exposure to benzene and other aromatic hydrocarbons
- History of any congenital disorders (e.g Down syndrome, Bloom syndrome)
Symptoms
In acute myeloid leukemia symptoms are due to an increased number of malignant white blood cells displacing or otherwise interfering with production of normal blood cells in the bone marrow. A lack of normal white blood cell production makes the patient susceptible to infections (while the leukemic cells themselves are derived from white blood cell precursors, they have no infection-fighting capacity).[1] A lack of red blood cells (anemia) can cause fatigue, paleness, and shortness of breath. A lack of platelets can lead to easy bruising or bleeding with minor trauma.
Patients usually present with the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Bleeding gums
- Bone pain
- Joint pain
- Persistent or frequent infections
References
- ↑ Hoffman, Ronald et al. (2005), pp. 1074–75.