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Leukemia Cancer Overview
This website was created to help leukemia / blood cancer patients
and their families and friends with up-to-date information
about leukemia and more specifically about acute
myelogenous leukemia (AML). We have the latest information
on leukemia, its symptoms,
causes, diagnosis,
and treatment.
We have also gathered vital information on coping
with the personal and financial effects of leukemia, which
may be difficult to deal with without the proper preparation.
Leukemia is cancer that originates in the bone marrow, the
soft, spongy inner portion of certain bones, and in which
the malignant cells are white blood cells (leukocytes). Acute
myelogenous leukemia is a malignancy that arises in either
granulocytes or monocytes which are white blood cells that
battle infectious agents throughout the body.
Although the exact cause of AML is unknown, exposure to benzene
and cigarettes smoking are linked to the disease. AML occurs
in all ages but more often in older adults. With more than
10,000 new luekemia cases diagnosed annually, AML is the most common
type of acute leukemia in adults. Other types of leukemia
are acute lymphocytic
leukemia (ALL), chronic
myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic
lymphatic leukemia (CLL) and hairy
cell leukemia (HCL).
The onset of AML is usually slow, and there are different
symptoms
depending on whether there is a deficiency of red cells, white
cells or platelets.
As the disease progresses rapidly, it is very important to
seek medical treatment as soon as possible. The Treatment
Options section describes the different types of treatments
such as chemotherapy, as well as has clinical trial
information. In our Medical
Financial Aid and Assistance section, we discuss how
patients and their families may be helped with medical bills
and financial concerns.
Because some leukemias are linked to benzene exposure, see
our At Risk Jobs
and Benzene Exposure
section to find out if you or a loved one has worked in a
job associated with benzene poisoning.
Visit our updated Leukemia News Items
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Leukemia Cancer Information
