Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

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Long term exposure to benzene has been linked to the development of numerous types of cancers, including acute myelogenous leukemia. Acute myelogenous leukemia is a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow of the body. The cancer progresses quickly and affects the blood cells that are immature causing the bone marrow to produce white blood cells that are abnormal. These abnormal white blood cells multiply rapidly and begin to take over the space needed by the healthy blood cells. Because the white blood cells are abnormal, they are unable to perform their normal functions, leaving the body susceptible to infection and uncontrollable bleeding.

The initial symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia resemble those of the flu or the common cold, causing individuals to delay treatment until the symptoms become severe or last for an extended period of time. Individuals experiencing the initial symptoms of the condition may have a fever, feel fatigued or lethargic, experience unexplainable weight loss, and may feel bone pain. The symptoms that follow depend on the type of blood cells that the condition is primarily affecting. If the red blood cells are affected, anemia will develop and shortness of breath will occur. If the white blood cells of the body are affected, it will result in the individual being unable to fight off infections and heal properly. If the platelets of the blood are affected, the individual may experience uncontrollable bleeding, wounds that will not clot or seal properly, and easy bruising. Acute myelogenous leukemia also has the ability to leave the blood and spread to cells throughout the body, affecting them as well.

Acute myelogenous leukemia is the most common type of leukemia and most cases of the condition respond well to treatment. The condition is diagnosed by testing the blood and bone marrow of individuals suspected of developing acute myelogenous leukemia. Treatment should be obtained as soon as a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia is confirmed as the condition progresses rapidly and can spread throughout the body as the condition worsens. The most common treatment for the condition is chemotherapy and the individual will need to be hospitalized during the treatment because chemotherapy kills many healthy cells along with the cancerous cells. Relapses are frequent because the DNA of the cells affected by acute myelogenous leukemia is compromised. There is no effective cure for acute myelogenous leukemia and treatments are geared towards getting the condition to go into remission.

Acute myelogenous leukemia is rarely found to have a genetic cause and most cases are acquired through exposure to cancer causing agents, such as the chemical benzene. Long term exposure to increased levels of benzene in the air has been linked to the development of a wide variety of cancers including acute myelogenous leukemia. Benzene is also present in cigarette smoke and has been linked to an increased risk of regular smokers developing acute myelogenous leukemia later in life. The condition is more common in individuals that are older than 60 years old and is more common in males than in females.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Articles

• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia - AML (Overview)
• Signs & Symptoms
• Causes & Risk Factors
• Treatments

Why You Should Choose Schmidt & Clark, LLP

"Our law firm has substantial expertise in the highly specialized field of occupational and environmental Benzene exposure litigation"

There are many law firms in the United States that advertise their legal services for Benzene lawsuits, however most of these law firms do not actually litigate them. You can contact our law firm with confidence in knowing that we have earned the nationwide respect and recognition from our peers for the successful representation of Benzene exposure clients and their families.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to Benzene and developed a form of leukemia or other blood related disease, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.

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