Acute Myelogenous Leukemia: The Most Common Form of Leukemia

Acute myelogenous leukemia or AML is a type of cancer that targets the blood and the bone marrow. The blood cells inside the human body are composed of platelets called red blood cells and white blood cells. AML patients have a lack sufficient amounts of red or white blood cells; in some cases the said cells materialize at an abnormal or uncontrollably rapid pace, which results in the illness progressing and developing inside the human body.

Statistics in recent times indicate that in the United States alone, every year there are approximately 11,900 new cases diagnosed. Studies also indicate that the average age of a person suffering from AML is 65; the studies further show that acute myelogenous leukemia is most commonly developed through benzene exposure, and is not contagious or hereditary.

What is Benzene?

Benzene is a chemical compound that has high flammable properties, and is an established carcinogen. Benzene is a significant solvent used in industrial purposes, used in the production of plastic, certain drugs/medications and rubber; however its role in gasoline manufacturing has already been limited. Various cancer types, along with acute myelogenous leukemia, have been associated to exposure to benzene.

The following health problems can also be caused by benzene exposure:

*Different forms of cancer, primarily leukemia

*Development of anemia

*Feeling dizzy and confused

*Depression of the immune system

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:

*Painful bones or joints

*Fatigue and shortness of breath

*Infections that are recurring

*Abdomen swells