Even common symptoms can indicate Leukemia!

cancer remains one of the biggest health challenges of our time. while a shortage of well-equipped medical facilities plays a role in delayed diagnosis and treatment, an equally pressing issue is the lack of awareness. this gap in knowledge often leads to late detection, which can cost lives.among the many types of cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (aml) an aggressive form of blood cancer often slips under the radar. despite its severity, it doesn't always receive the attention it deserves. over the years, the global incidence of aml has surged dramatically from just over 9,000 cases in 1990 to nearly 1.5 lakh in 2021. the number of deaths has climbed just as sharply, from around 74,000 to 1.3 lakh in the same period.the complexity and high mortality rate of aml highlight the urgent need to spread awareness, encourage early detection, and strengthen systems for timely care. only then can we begin to ease the burden this disease continues to place on individuals, families, and healthcare systems worldwide. acute myeloid leukemia, or aml, is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow — the soft, spongy tissue inside our bones that produces blood cells. within the marrow, myeloid cells are responsible for developing white blood cells, which fight infectionsin aml, a genetic change occurs in these myeloid cells. as a result, they begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing large numbers of immature cells called blasts. these abnormal cells don't function as they should and begin to crowd out the healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. this disrupts normal blood production, leading to symptoms like fatigue, increased risk of infections, and easy bleeding.the common symptoms include: • easy bruising • recurrent infections• bone pain • weakness • anaemia• shortness of breath the risk factors include a history of chemotherapy, radiation and benzene exposure, and tobacco smoke. in many cases, patients may present without any known risk factors. in india, leukemia (blood cancer) has an incidence rate of 49,883. aml accounted for more than 10.5% of the total number of leukemia cases. here are three key facts about aml every patient should know: key facts about aml1. aml occurs in people of all ages: aml is the most common form of leukemia among adults and the median age of diagnosis is between 66 and 71 years. however, as per one of the studies, in india, adults are affected nearly 20 years earlier, with the median age of diagnosis being 40 years. additionally, aml accounts for nearly 15 to 20% of all leukemia cases in children. 2. aml is treatable: between 60 and 70% of adult patients (18-65 years) can achieve complete remission with the right kind of treatment. however, the five-year survival rate is 31.7%. today, aml can be treated in several ways using targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or through a bone marrow transplant. there are newer drugs that have shown remarkable progress when used along with other therapies in those ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. 3. intensive chemotherapy is not for all patients with aml: intensive chemotherapy is usually the first choice of treatment for patients. however, more than half of the newly diagnosed patients are ineligible for this type of intensive treatment due to the subtype of aml, poor health, or old age. for many of these patients, other agents including novel agents (less intensive) are used to improve patient outcomes. being diagnosed with aml can be a devastating blow for individuals. however, as understanding of the disease grows alongside the inception of newer transformative treatment methods, patients and caregivers must be aware of these developments to enhance treatment outcomes and survival. by learning key facts about the disease, they can make informed decisions. the journey may be long and precarious; however, with accurate and authentic information, patients can confidently navigate these complexities.--dr. jayachandran. p.k, m.d., m.r.c.p.(uk), d.m., f.r.c.p.(glasg), fellowship in car-t therapy and bmt (cambridge university), consultant - medical oncology, hemato-oncology, stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy, apollo cancer centres - teynampet, chennai.