Monday, June 1, 2009

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

By Laurette Langerstein

AML or acute myelogenous leukemia is a type of cancer that attacks the human body's bone marrow and blood. The blood cells inside a human body are composed of red blood cells and white blood cells, also known as platelets. Patients who suffer from AML have insufficient amounts of red or white blood cells; in some cases these cells are cultivated in an anomalous, usually reckless pace, which results to the progression and development of illnesses.

Current statistics show that in the USA, approximately 11,900 new cases of acute myelogenous leukemia are being diagnosed each year. Studies also indicate that acute myelogenous leukemia is not contagious or genetic; it usually results from exposure to the chemical benzene. Research further indicates that 65 is the average age of a person suffering from AML.

Benzene Exposure

A chemical compound, benzene is highly flammable and is a recognized carcinogen. Although its use in gasoline has been minimized, it has turned into an essential solvent for industrial purposes. It is used in the production of synthetic rubber, plastic and certain drugs. Exposure to benzene has been linked to the development of acute myelogenous leukemia and other types of cancer.

The health problems that may result from exposure to benzene are:

*Leukemia and other forms of cancer

*Development of anemia

*Dizziness and confusion

*Immune system functioning below normal

Symptoms of AML

Patients who suffer from acute myelogenous leukemia are commonly unaware that they have been exposed to benzene. This is exposure often occurs through accidental ingestion or inhalation due to the nature of their work, or in their immediate surroundings. Benzene exposure over a prolonged period of time can result to acute myelogenous leukemia and other fatal diseases, which are sadly oftentimes diagnosed too late for the fatal end-results to be reversed.

Patients who have acute myelogenous leukemia experience the following symptoms:

*Joint or bone pain

*shortness of breath and fatigue

*Infections that are recurring

*Swelling of the abdomen

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