About this topic
Acute myelogenous leukemia is a kind of blood cancer. It is also called AML. Your blood is made in the middle of your bones. This place is called your bone marrow. Blood is made of three kinds of cells: ‚
- White blood cells ¢ ˆ ’ Fight germs and illnesses
- Red blood cells ¢ ˆ ’ Carry oxygen throughout the body and make blood red
- Platelets ¢ ˆ ’ Help the body fight bleeding
In this cancer, the bone marrow makes many immature cells called blasts or myeloblasts. These cells cannot fight germs or infections the same as mature, healthy white blood cells. They increase quickly in the bone marrow and take up space meant for normal blood cells. They also spill out into the bloodstream and affect the whole body. When the bone marrow makes the abnormal cells, it does not make the blood cells the body needs. This causes signs. ‚
People with this illness may: ‚
- Look pale, get tired easily, and be weaker
- Have a fever with or without other signs
- Become short of breath after activities
- Get bruised easily or have tiny red spots on the skin
- Have bone and joint pain
Doctors test the blood and bone marrow to find this illness. This type of cancer gets worse quickly if not treated. Treatment most often includes chemo and either bone marrow or stem cell transplant. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor will give you drugs for many things when you have AML. You may find it helpful to use a small notebook to write down your drugs. A daily pillbox may also help. Make sure to take all the drugs ordered by your doctor.
- You will have your blood counts checked often. You may need blood or platelet transfusions throughout your course of treatment or after transplant. If your platelets are low, blow your nose and brush your teeth very gently to avoid bleeding.
- You may have a special catheter or I.V. to get your chemo. If so, learn how to care for it. Be sure to keep the catheter site covered as ordered.
- Protect yourself from germs.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill the germs. Always wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after touching your pets.
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. You can also cough into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
- Stay away from crowded places.
- Join a support group if you are comfortable with this. It can help you cope with your illness.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring. Your doctor will ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress and draw blood work. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- Your doctor will send you to a physical therapist or a rehab center.
- When your treatment is complete, ask you doctor for a summary of all tests and treatments, expected late treatment effects, and long term follow-up needed.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Kill leukemia cells or stop them from growing
- Help your body make new blood cells
- Prevent infection
- Help with the side effects of chemo drugs. These may help with throwing up, loose stools, itching, and more.
- Help your body take in the new transplanted cells
Will physical activity be limited?
- Rest is important. Your activity level will depend on your procedure or treatment. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Ask your doctor when you can return to your normal activities like driving and lifting.
- Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- You will need to lie flat for a few hours if you had chemo put into the spinal fluid.
What changes to diet are needed?
- Have small meals often during the day.
- Take sips of water to replace lost fluids from throwing up and loose stools. This may be easier than drinking large amounts at one time.
- Try to eat even if you do not want to. Ask your doctor if a dietician would be helpful for you.
- Your doctor may order nutrition supplements to help keep your fluids up.
- Try soups and pureed fruits and vegetables. These can give you the nutrition you need when your mouth and throat hurt because of mouth sores or throwing up.
What problems could happen?
- Too much bleeding
- Infections
- Need for blood or platelet transfusion
- Side effects of drugs to treat AML
- Cancer comes back
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
- Sudden breathing problems
- Throwing up that is not helped by drugs
- Skin changes like rashes and yellowish skin
- Sudden chest pain or chest pain with coughing
- You see blood in your urine or you cough up blood
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to protect myself from germs.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet, drugs, or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, trouble breathing, chest pain, throwing up, or blood in my urine.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/aml.html ‚
National Cancer Institute ‚
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/adultAML/Patient/page1 ‚
National Marrow Donor Program ‚
http://marrow.org/Patient/Disease_and_Treatment/About_Your_Disease/AML/Acute_Myelogenous_Leukemia_(AML).aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚