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My Sister Was Recently Diagnosed With AML At 56. She
Question: My sister was recently diagnosed with AML at 56. She and had a bone marrow and is doing well. Now shockingly they suspect my mom has it at age 77. Now I have read their is hereditary. So not only am I worried sick about them, I feel like I’m next. What are my chances of getting this terrible cancer? I’m 52.
Brief Answer:
It’s a genetic disease, but most cases aren’t thought to be hereditary.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
AML is a cancer of the body’s bone marrow, which is where your blood cells are made.
It’s a genetic disease, but most cases aren’t thought to be hereditary.
Instead, a variety of risk factors can make you more likely to get the disease. Some of these risk factors are in your control, others aren’t.
Scientists think the various types of leukemia are caused by mutations in the DNA of your blood cells. These genetic mutations change the way the blood cells in your bone marrow reproduce.
They can also prevent these blood cells from functioning properly. Eventually, the abnormal blood cells crowd out your healthy blood cells. They can block your bone marrow from producing more healthy cells.
The mutations are genetic, but usually not hereditary. This means that while leukemia is caused by mutations in your genes, these genetic abnormalities aren’t often inherited from your family. This is called an acquired gene mutation.
It’s not always known what causes these mutations. You may be genetically predisposed to developing leukemia, but lifestyle risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, can also make you more likely to develop leukemia. Other environmental factors, such as exposure to certain chemicals and radiation, could also be behind the DNA abnormalities that can cause leukemia.
Regards
It’s a genetic disease, but most cases aren’t thought to be hereditary.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
AML is a cancer of the body’s bone marrow, which is where your blood cells are made.
It’s a genetic disease, but most cases aren’t thought to be hereditary.
Instead, a variety of risk factors can make you more likely to get the disease. Some of these risk factors are in your control, others aren’t.
Scientists think the various types of leukemia are caused by mutations in the DNA of your blood cells. These genetic mutations change the way the blood cells in your bone marrow reproduce.
They can also prevent these blood cells from functioning properly. Eventually, the abnormal blood cells crowd out your healthy blood cells. They can block your bone marrow from producing more healthy cells.
The mutations are genetic, but usually not hereditary. This means that while leukemia is caused by mutations in your genes, these genetic abnormalities aren’t often inherited from your family. This is called an acquired gene mutation.
It’s not always known what causes these mutations. You may be genetically predisposed to developing leukemia, but lifestyle risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, can also make you more likely to develop leukemia. Other environmental factors, such as exposure to certain chemicals and radiation, could also be behind the DNA abnormalities that can cause leukemia.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you for your detailed response. It is possible not to have the gene at all and is there any way to test for it?
Brief Answer:
Workers in the chemical or petroleum industry need regular screening
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Acute myeloid leukemia is usually diagnosed because patients have signs and symptoms of leukemia including fatigue, weight loss, bleeding, easy bruising or unexplained infections.
Occasionally the diagnosis is made on routine physical examination or by performing a white blood count, platelet count and red blood cell determination.
In order for screening to be effective, patients at risk need to be identifiable. With the exception of identifying a few genetic diseases, it is currently impossible to screen for AML. At this point, there is no evidence that early diagnosis of AML improves survival rates in comparison with those of later, symptomatic detection.
Workers in the chemical or petroleum industry need regular screening. Screening consists of a routine blood count, which is part of an annual physical examination. It is important to realize that the average age for developing AML is over 65 years.
People over the age of 65 should probably have a physical examination with routine blood counts every 6 months. A bone marrow examination is not necessary unless the blood counts are abnormal or there is some definable abnormality suggestive of AML upon physical examination.
Regards
Workers in the chemical or petroleum industry need regular screening
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Acute myeloid leukemia is usually diagnosed because patients have signs and symptoms of leukemia including fatigue, weight loss, bleeding, easy bruising or unexplained infections.
Occasionally the diagnosis is made on routine physical examination or by performing a white blood count, platelet count and red blood cell determination.
In order for screening to be effective, patients at risk need to be identifiable. With the exception of identifying a few genetic diseases, it is currently impossible to screen for AML. At this point, there is no evidence that early diagnosis of AML improves survival rates in comparison with those of later, symptomatic detection.
Workers in the chemical or petroleum industry need regular screening. Screening consists of a routine blood count, which is part of an annual physical examination. It is important to realize that the average age for developing AML is over 65 years.
People over the age of 65 should probably have a physical examination with routine blood counts every 6 months. A bone marrow examination is not necessary unless the blood counts are abnormal or there is some definable abnormality suggestive of AML upon physical examination.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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