Identifying Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Common Signs and Symptoms

Acute myeloid leukemia, abbreviated as AML, is a type of cancer involving the blood and the bone marrow. Since the disease infects the myeloid cells (a type of white blood cells), it is also called myelogenous leukemia. AML is the second most common type of leukemia that will be affecting 20,380 people in the US in 2023.

The common signs and symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia include anemia, infections, and easy bruising. It is not necessary that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you are suffering from AML. However, it would be best to get these symptoms checked adequately by hematologists to properly diagnose the disease.

Countries like India, Turkey, and Germany have some of the best Hemato-Oncologists worldwide. These countries have established themselves as some of the most sought-after destinations for cancer treatment, including AML. 

The acute myeloid leukemia treatment cost in India averages around 8-10 lakhs. However, the final pricing will depend on the type of treatment based on the cancer stage.

What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

AML occurs when there is damage to the DNA in the bone marrow. The damage stops the blood cells from forming as they should. The cells become abnormal and cancerous, which fill up the bone marrow. They also build up in the bloodstream and reduce the number of healthy blood cells.

Acute myeloid leukemia is responsible for 31% of all adult leukemia cases. The disease generally affects people of older age, mainly 65 years and older.

Risk factors for AML are:

• Older Age
• Smoking
• Genetic Disorders
• Previous Chemotherapy
• Radiation Exposure
• Chemical Exposure
• Other Blood Disorders

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

Acute myeloid leukemia shows a variety of signs and symptoms. The general symptoms which are not specific to AML and can mean a lot of other things include:

• Loss of appetite
• Night sweats
• Fever
• Fatigue 
• Weight loss

Symptoms Caused by Low Number of Normal Blood Cells

A deficiency of healthy blood cells causes most signs and symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia. The overcrowding of the leukemia cells in the blood marrow causes a shortage of normal blood cells.

Symptoms from Low Red Blood Cells:

Red blood cells, or RBCs, are responsible for taking oxygen to all the cells in the body. A shortage of RBC is known as anemia and causes symptoms like:

• Tiredness
• Weakness 
• Feeling cold
• Headache
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling dizzy

Signs from Low White Blood Cells:

Leukopenia is a condition where the number of white blood cells decreases. WBCs, particularly neutrophils, help in fighting infections.

As the number of normal WBCs decreases, catching infections becomes easier for people having AML. Treating these infections also becomes difficult in these patients.

Although people suffering from AML have high counts of WBCs due to excess leukemia cells, they do not protect against infections as they do not function normally. 

Symptoms from Low Blood Platelet Counts:

Platelets are responsible for stopping the bleeding. Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count leads to:

• Bruising 
• Excess bleeding
• Bleeding gums
• Heavy menstruation
• Frequent nosebleeds

Symptoms Caused By Excessive Numbers of Leukemia Cells

The size of blast cells (cancer cells in AML) is more prominent than normal WBCs. They have more trouble passing through the small blood vessels. Blast cells can even clog the blood vessels if their number gets too high. This makes it difficult for normal red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body. The condition is known as leukostasis and shows symptoms like:

• Weakness in one side of the body
• Headache
• Slurred speech
• Sleepiness
• Confusion

People suffer from shortness of breath if the lungs' blood vessels are affected. If the blood vessels in the eye are involved, blurry vision or even loss of vision can be caused.

Other Symptoms

• Bleeding and Clotting: Patients having acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have complications related to bleeding and clotting. They suffer from nosebleeds that won't stop or cuts/wounds that won't stop bleeding. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are other complications of APL. 
• Bone or Joint Pain: Leukemia build-up in bones and joints causes pain and swelling in these areas. 
• Swelling in the Abdomen: The size of the liver and spleen increases due to leukemia build-up. It is noticed as swelling and fullness of the belly.
• Lumps in the Skin: If leukemia spreads to the skin, it causes a tumor-like collection of AML cells under the skin called myeloid sarcoma. 
• Brain and Spinal Cord Complications: There are fewer chances of AML spreading to the brain and spinal cord. But if it reaches these organs, symptoms like headache, seizures, facial numbness, vomiting, and trouble with balance are standard.

What to do If You are Experiencing any of these Signs and Symptoms?

If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms mentioned, you must consult a hematologist to confirm the diagnosis of the disease. You must visit a well-established medical center for accurate diagnosis. Hospitals in India, Germany, and Turkey have cutting-edge technologies for diagnosing and treating AML.

The following tests can be done to diagnose acute myeloid leukemia.

• Blood Tests: People with AML will have a large number of white blood cells in their blood and a reduced amount of RBCs and platelets. The presence of blast cells is also an indicator of AML.
• Bone Marrow Test: Blood tests can hint at acute myeloid leukemia, but you need bone marrow tests for conformational diagnosis. Bone marrow biopsy is done by taking a sample of the marrow, usually from the hipbone, with the help of a needle.
• Lumbar Puncture Test: Spinal tap or lumbar puncture test is done by taking cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal cord. The CFS is then checked for leukemia cells.
• Genetic Testing: The collected samples are checked in labs to find the gene mutations present. The type of AML is detected using different techniques like flow cytometry, karyotyping, PCR, etc. Finding the AML type is necessary to decide the most accurate treatment plan for the disease.

What is the Cost of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment?

The treatment cost for any cancer depends on factors such as the type of treatment you receive, the stage of cancer, the hospital you select, and the total duration of the treatment.

The cost of acute myeloid leukemia in Turkey ranges from USD 13,500 to USD 16,500. The patient has to stay in the hospital for approximately 20 days for treatment. The cost of AML treatment in India is between USD 9,000 to USD 12,500, which is relatively low.

Germany is at the forefront of using modern technologies and innovative treatment approaches for cancer. The acute myeloid leukemia treatment cost in Germany is slightly high, but the high-quality patient care justifies it.

In Conclusion

Acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, is a type of blood cancer in which the number of healthy blood cells decreases rapidly. Various symptoms observed with AML are anemia, tiredness, bruising, excessive bleeding, headache, vomiting, and weight loss. You must consult a hematologist if you suffer from any of these symptoms.