Acute erythroblastic leukemia
Acute erythroblastic leukemia Causes
According to medical records, the causes of this rare form of blood cancer are largely unknown. Nonetheless, acute erythroblastic leukemia actually represents approximately 10-20% of leukemias, and secondary to radiation, overexposure to benzene and alkylator theraphy.
Acute erythroblastic leukemia Definition
Acute erythroblastic leukemia is also known by other medical terms such as erythremic myelosis, erythroleukemia and the DiGuglielmo syndrome, which is the uncontrolled production of immature and undeveloped erythrocytes, more popularly known as the red blood cells. This type of leukemia is a rare form of cancer that originates from the marrow and blood.
Acute erythroblastic leukemia Diagnosis
Patients who are seeking treatment would usually account some vague history of chronic fatigue. Results from blood tests can easily help establish the diagnosis. An examination of the blood can easily identify abnormal number of red blood cells. Bone marrow examinations should also be performed either through biopsy or aspiration to further examine cell types.
Acute erythroblastic leukemia Symptoms and Signs
Patients suffering from acute erythroblastic leukemia often experience severe fatigue and weakness. Blood tests would also show less than the average number of white blood cells. Other strong indicators include chills and fever, loss of weight and appetite, easy bruising and bleeding due to the abnormally low platelet levels, joint pains, headaches, confusion and vomiting. Additionally, patients may also show considerable enlargement of the spleen and liver, which can be noticed by the telltale swelling of the abdomen and can be easily detected by doctors in a physical examination.
Acute erythroblastic leukemia Treatment
The treatment for this type of leukemia would largely depend of the cancer cell features presented as well as the extent or severity of the disease, the patient's age, symptoms along with general health condition. Treatment strategies are based on chemotherapies, cell and bone marrow transplantations. Chemotherapies are often administered with the combination of two or more medications.