Chemotherapy

Consolidation Chemotherapy: Treating Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

The cancer of bone marrow along with blood is known as Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. The cancerous cells grow at a very fast rate. Some cells referred as blasts are made by the bone marrow. These cells develop into white blood cells that help in fighting against any infection. These cells do not develop in the normal manner when a person is suffering from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Hence patients suffering from AML are unable to fight any type of infection. Consolidation chemotherapy is for patients suffering from these disorders.

Developments of red blood cells in an abnormal manner are found in person suffering from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. As they grow at a very fast rate they become more in number than the normal cells. Hence the functioning of the normal cells become difficult and the influence of the abnormal cells are seen more. The most common form of leukemia is AML. Mostly older people are affected by this dreadful disease and they need to undergo Consolidation chemotherapy.

The common symptom that an Acute Myelogenous Leukemia patient suffers from is weakness. As the number of white blood cells is less in number the cells are unable to fight the infections. The number of infection also increases. The red blood cells help in carrying the oxygen in different parts of the body. Thus the oxygen is unable to reach all the parts of the body. This leads to fatigue and tiredness.

A patient suffering from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia also suffers from anemia as the number of healthy blood cells is less in number. The person suffers from breathlessness and turns pale. Less number of platelets causes bleeding and thus the person has tiny red spots all over the body. If the number of unhealthy cells is more then frequent pains are experienced in the joints. Though children are also affected by this disease but the percentage is negligible. Consolidation chemotherapy helps a person to fight these conditions.

The disease of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is diagnosed when tests reveal that the large number of leukemia cells are present in the blood as well as bone marrow samples. When test reveals the presence of unhealthy cells then a thorough examination of the patient is done. This is done to see the presence of abnormal cells in other parts of the body. An ultrasound test of the abdomen is also carried out. Lumbar Puncture is also done to see if the area around the brain and spinal cord are free from the abnormal cells. Consolidation chemotherapy is the only treatment in such cases.

The condition of the Acute Myelogenous Leukemia patients worsens very rapidly. As soon as the disease is diagnosed the treatment should be started. The resistance power of the body also lessens. As the abnormal cells become more in number they do not allow the proper functioning of the healthy cells. The average age of the people suffering from AML is generally 65 years.