HEALTH

HEALTHHorizonsTM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and how does it affect my body?
A: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that occurs in the blood and bone marrow (where blood cells are
made). AML occurs when young cells known as blast cells that normally would develop into white blood cells called
myeloid cells become damaged. These damaged cells do not mature and become too numerous, piling up in the bone
marrow and other body organs. Because they are produced so fast and have nowhere to go, these cancerous blast cells
in effect squeeze out and replace normal blood cells.
Q: What are the symptoms of AML?
A: Early symptoms of AML are similar to the flu or other common diseases, but they last longer. They include fever, sore
throat, weakness and tiredness, swollen lymph glands, aching joints, night sweats, and decreased appetite.
Other symptoms are caused by inadequate production of normal blood cells and by the invasion of normal organs by
cancerous blast cells.These symptoms may include weight loss, frequent infections, vomiting, a swollen testicle, shortness of
breath with even minor activities, coughing, rapid heartbeat, excessive bleeding (gums, nose, menstrual periods, cuts), skin
rash, vision problems, and seizures.
Q: How did I develop AML?
A: No one knows the exact causes of leukemia.Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than
others to develop leukemia. Such risk factors include:
s Very high levels of radiation.People exposed to very high levels of radiation are much more likely than others to develop leukemia.
s Medical treatment that uses radiation can be another source of high-level exposure.Radiation used for diagnosis (common x-rays,
CT scans, etc.), however, exposes people to much lower levels of radiation and has not been linked to leukemia.
s Down syndrome and certain other genetic diseases. Some diseases caused by abnormal chromosomes may increase the risk of
leukemia.
s Myelodysplastic syndrome. People with this blood disease are at increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia.
s Smoking. Although many people know that smoking is responsible for most cancers of the lungs, mouth, and throat, few realize
that it can affect cells that do not come into direct contact with smoke. Cancer-causing substances in tobacco smoke are
absorbed by the lungs and spread through the bloodstream to many parts of the body. Scientists estimate that about one-fifth
of cases of AML are caused by smoking.
In the past, some studies suggested exposure to electromagnetic fields as another possible risk factor for leukemia.
Electromagnetic fields are a type of low-energy radiation that comes from power lines and electric appliances.
However, results from recent studies show that the evidence is weak for electromagnetic fields as a risk factor.
Q: Can I transmit AML to others?
A: No, leukemia is not contagious.
Q: How is AML treated?
A: The primary treatment for AML is chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may be used in certain cases. Bone marrow or
stem cell transplantation also may be used. In addition, biological therapy (which uses materials made by the body or
made in a laboratory to boost the body’s natural defenses) is being studied but is not yet widely available.
Treatment may also include blood transfusions, antibiotics, and instructions to keep the body and teeth especially
clean. Clinical trials are testing new cancer-fighting drugs.

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HEALTHHorizonsTM
Q: What are the best ways to take care of myself?
A: You can do a great deal to minimize the effects of AML on your life.In addition to following your prescribed treatment plan,
you may want to consider the following:
s Stay away from crowds and from people with colds or other contagious diseases.
s Maintain good dental care.Doctors often advise patients to have a complete dental exam and, if possible, undergo needed dental
care before chemotherapy begins. Dentists show patients how to keep their mouth clean and healthy during treatment.
s Ask about taking part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies designed to help doctors find better ways of managing
diseases.
Q: Should I consider a clinical trial?
A: You can do a great deal to minimize the effects of AML on your life.In addition to following your prescribed treatment plan,
you may want to consider the following:
The goal of a clinical trial is to answer a scientific question, such as whether one treatment is better than another. Trials are
based on past studies and what has been learned in the laboratory. Each trial answers certain scientific questions in order to
find new and better ways to help manage disease. If a clinical trial shows that a new treatment is better than one currently
being used, the new treatment may become "standard."
Doctors can refer patients to clinical trial programs. For information, contact your doctor, call the National Cancer Institute at
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or visit the NCI Web site at www.nci.nih.gov.
Esoterix, Inc. is providing this information to you for general, educational purposes and not as a substitute for seeking medical advice from your physician.Therefore, we
advise you to discuss and verify this information with your own physician.We also invite your feedback and suggestions to improve this literature and to assist us in
keeping the materials up-to-date. Esoterix invites you to visit our web site at www.esoterix.com.

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