What is Acute Erythroleukemia
Released on = September 20, 2006, 10:12 pm
Press Release Author = Raphael Metzger
Industry = Law
Press Release Summary = Acute Erythroleukemia also known as acute myelogenous
leukemia is a cancer of the blood caused by bone marrow creating abnormal white
blood cells. It can be caused by exposure to many different chemicals
Press Release Body = Acute Erythroleukemia is one of the most deadly diseases that
human civilization has ever encountered. Giovanni Di Guglielmo discovered this rare
heterogeneous disease, where there is an increase in red cell precursors and
myeloblasts, in the early twentieth century.
Acute erythroleukemia, which is also referred to as acute Di Guglielmo syndrome, is
classified on the basis of morphologic and cytochemical criteria as an M6 subtype of
acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
In the United States of America, acute erythroleukemia accounts for 20-30 % of all
kinds of secondary leukemia and 3-5% of all kinds of acute myelogenous leukemia. The
disease is not known to have any sort of racial preference and is found in equal
numbers in all ethnicities across the globe. It is, however, more common among
males.
The most vulnerable age groups for acute erythroleukemia are people over 50 years
old. Researchers have identified the fourth decade and the seventh decade of life as
the two peak periods when this disease might strike. Though acute erythroleukemia
rarely occurs in children, this disease can afflict children from the newborn period
to the age 7 years.
The common symptoms of the disease include fatigue, minimal-to-modest weight loss,
easy bruising, fever, bone or abdominal pain and joint pain. The patient usually has
anemia and shows symptoms like gum bleeding, retinal hemorrhage and infection of
respiratory tracts, urinary tract, sinuses, peri-rectal area and skin.
There are no identifiable risk factors. However, some of the common factors that
physicians believe might cause this disease include exposure to ionizing radiation
like Thorotrast, a radiographic contrast medium used in the 1940s and prior
chemotherapy with alkylating agents. In rare cases, acute erythroleukemia is genetic
in origin.
The treatment for acute erythroleukemia is usually similar to the approach used for
acute myelogenous leukemia. What makes the treatment difficult is the multi-drug
resistance gene (i.e. MDR1) expression, which is responsible for poor response to
chemotherapy and consequently, a short survival time. Often, physicians recommend
placing an indwelling central venous catheter and/or port for chemotherapy infusion,
which is also used to draw blood samples for periodic analysis.
The patient is usually kept on a diet of cooked fruit and vegetables. Usually, they
are asked to avoid strenuous physical activity and pay special attention to oral
hygiene. Patients afflicted with acute erythroleukemia are also asked to avoid
potted plants and flowers.
However, despite all precautions, the survival chances in this disease are rare.
Usually, the disease is diagnosed within 1-3 months after the onset of symptoms and
the patient rarely lives longer than 6 months.
In recent times, the World Health Organization is carrying out numerous research
projects to identify the cause of this deadly disease and find a cure.
Web Site = http://www.toxictorts.com
Contact Details = Address: 401 E. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 800
phone no: 562-437-4499
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