Acute Myeloid Leukemia Blood Cancer: Early Diagnosis is Key

Mar 2

5 min read

Prevention is better than cure, and the same holds true for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) blood cancer. Early and accurate diagnosis of AML is crucial for successful treatment and improved outcomes.

In India, blood cancer is a growing health concern. With an estimated 70,000 deaths annually, India ranks third globally. Leukemia is one of the most common cancer types, followed by Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma.

According to the Times of India, over 3,000 new cancer cases are reported annually in New Delhi alone. AML particularly affects adults aged 30–40. However, knowing the signs of AML and opting for timely AML diagnosis tests can significantly aid treatment.

What is AML?

AML stands for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a type of blood cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow produces immature white blood cells (blasts) that don't mature properly and can't fight infections effectively.

The term "acute" in AML indicates that the disease tends to progress rapidly and worsen quickly if not treated.

What are the Symptoms of AML?

People often mistake the early signs of AML for seasonal flu or stress, leading to delayed diagnosis. The most common AML symptoms are:

Extreme fatigue or weakness: Caused by a reduction of red blood cells (anemia).
Frequent or unexplained fevers: Due to weakened immunity and abnormal white blood cells.
Recurrent infections: Even minor wounds or colds may persist longer or worsen.
Easy bruising or bleeding: This includes nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or tiny red/purple spots on the skin.
Shortness of breath: Even while resting or walking short distances.
Pale or sallow skin tone.
Bone or joint pain, especially in the legs or back.

However, not everyone experiences all of these symptoms. Some may show only subtle changes, which is why blood tests like CBC and peripheral smear play a critical role in early detection of AML.

What are the Causes of AML?

The exact AML cause isn’t always clear, but several risk factors are known to increase the likelihood of developing the disease:

Genetic Disorders
Previous Cancer Treatment
Exposure to Chemicals
Smoking
Family History

Though AML can occur at any age, it's more common in people above 40 years.

Why Early Diagnosis of AML Is Critical?

Early diagnosis of any disease is crucial for timely treatment. While AML often develops rapidly and can cause noticeable symptoms, early diagnosis of AML aids in controlling the cancer and preventing severe complications.

A delay in diagnosing AML can result in rapid complications, such as tumour lysis syndrome, where a large number of cancer cells die quickly and break apart, releasing their contents into the blood. This sudden release can cause problems with the heart, kidneys, and other organs.

In India, only about 30% of AML patients are able to complete the treatment. Often due to financial or diagnostic delays, the mortality rate of AML is significantly increasing.

Early detection improves the initiation of AML treatment, which typically involves chemotherapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT).

Common Diagnostic Tests for AML

Diagnosing Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) involves a series of comprehensive tests to identify abnormal cells, understand their characteristics, and determine the specific subtype of AML. This detailed approach is crucial for accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and guiding the most effective AML treatment. Here are the common diagnostic tests for AML:

a. Complete Blood Count (CBC) & Peripheral Blood Smear: The CBC test is often the first investigative step. It measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In AML, a CBC can reveal abnormally high numbers of immature white blood cells (blasts), along with potential reductions in healthy red blood cells (anemia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia).

A peripheral blood smear involves examining a drop of blood under a microscope to visually identify the presence and characteristics of these abnormal blast cells. You can get the CBC test done at Agilus with a same-day report facility.

b. Bone Marrow Aspiration & Biopsy: Since AML originates in the bone marrow, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is critical for definitive diagnosis. A small sample of liquid marrow (aspiration) and solid bone marrow tissue (biopsy) are taken, usually from the hip bone. These samples are then analysed to:

Confirm the presence of AML: Determining the percentage of blast cells in the marrow.
Assess bone marrow health: To see how healthy blood-forming cells are affected and distinguish AML from other blood disorders.

c. Cytogenetic Analysis (Chromosomal Studies) Cytogenetics: It involves examining the chromosomes within the bone marrow cells to look for specific genetic abnormalities. Certain chromosomal changes are characteristic of different AML subtypes and can influence the disease's prognosis and response to treatment. This test helps doctors classify the AML and tailor therapies.

d. Molecular Genetic Testing (FISH, PCR, Next-Generation Sequencing): These advanced tests delve deeper into the genetic makeup of the leukemia cells, identifying specific gene mutations (e.g., FLT3, NPM1, CEBPA) and gene fusions (e.g., PML-RARA, AML1-ETO) that may not be visible through standard cytogenetics. Molecular testing is increasingly vital as it provides crucial information for:

Subtyping AML: Further refining the diagnosis.
Prognostic Assessment: Predicting how the disease might behave.
Targeted Therapy Selection: Guiding the use of specific drugs designed to target these mutations.

e. Flow Cytometry (Immunophenotyping): It analyzes specific proteins (antigens) on the surface and inside the leukemia cells. This test is essential for determining the lineage of the abnormal cells (myeloid or lymphoid) and helps in the precise classification of AML, distinguishing it from other types of leukemia.

f. Imaging Tests (MRI & CT Scan) While not primary diagnostic tests for AML itself, MRI scan for leukemia and CT scan AML are sometimes used to check if the leukemia has spread to other parts of the body or to assess for complications.

MRI Scan: Primarily used to check if leukemia cells have infiltrated the brain or spinal cord, especially if symptoms like headaches or vision changes are present. It can also help detect bone damage.
CT Scan: This helps evaluate whether AML has spread to organs like the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes and check for infections or bleeding.

Conclusion

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a serious type of blood cancer that needs to be caught early for better treatment outcomes. Many people ignore its symptoms, thinking it's just fatigue or stress, but early AML testing can save lives.

Various trusted pathlabs in India offers advanced AML detection tests with reports delivered within 3 days. You can even book the AML test online and get your sample collected from home.

Their labs are certified and reliable, so your blood cancer test results are in safe hands.

If you or someone you know shows symptoms like extreme tiredness, frequent fevers, or unusual bleeding, don’t wait—get tested early. It’s simple, quick, and could make a big difference.