Monocytic leukemia is
a type of myeloid leukemia characterized by a dominance of monocytes in the marrow
. When the monocytic cells are predominantly monoblasts, it can be subclassified into acute monoblastic leukemia
Is acute monocytic leukemia curable?
Although AML is a serious disease, it
is treatable and often curable with chemotherapy
with or without a bone marrow/stem cell transplant (see the Types of Treatment section).
What are the symptoms of monocytic leukemia?
- bleeding disorders.
- bleeding under skin or gums.
- easy bruising or bleeding.
- fatigue.
- fever.
- shortness of breath.
- feeling of weakness.
- loss of weight and appetite.
What is acute monocytic leukemia?
Acute monocytic leukemia (AMoL, or AML-M5) is
a type of acute myeloid leukemia
. In AML-M5 >80% of the leukemic cells are of monocytic lineage. This cancer is characterized by a dominance of monocytes in the bone marrow. There is an overproduction of monocytes that the body does not need in the periphery.
How common is monocytic leukemia?
It happens when monocytes in the bone marrow begin to grow out of control, filling the bone marrow and preventing other blood cells from growing. CMML is rare, occurring in
about 4 of every 1 million people in the U.S. each year
, with about 1,100 new cases diagnosed annually.
Which type of leukemia is most fatal?
Patients with the most lethal form of
acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
– based on genetic profiles of their cancers – typically survive for only four to six months after diagnosis, even with aggressive chemotherapy.
How long do leukemia patients live?
Today, the average
five-year survival rate
for all types of leukemia is 65.8%. That means about 69 of every 100 people with leukemia are likely to live at least five years after diagnosis. Many people will live much longer than five years. The survival rates are lowest for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Should I be worried if my monocytes are high?
What Does a High Monocyte Count Mean? A high monocyte count — also called monocytosis — is often associated with
chronic or sub-acute infections
. It can also be linked with some types of cancer, especially leukemia.
What do leukemia spots look like?
Leukemia cutis appears as
red or purplish red
, and it occasionally looks dark red or brown. It affects the outer skin layer, the inner skin layer, and the layer of tissue beneath the skin. The rash can involve flushed skin, plaques, and scaly lesions. It most commonly appears on the trunk, arms, and legs.
What do leukemia headaches feel like?
A
sudden, excruciating headache that quickly becomes unbearably painful to the point where you can’t move
. Sometimes called a “thunderclap headache”, this is the most concerning type of headache as it can be caused by a life-threatening bleed on the brain.
What are the final stages of leukemia?
- Slow breathing with long pauses; noisy breathing with congestion.
- Cool skin that may turn a bluish, dusky color, especially in the hands and feet.
- Dryness of mouth and lips.
- Decreased amount of urine.
- Loss of bladder and bowel control.
- Restlessness or repetitive, involuntary movements.
Is AML a death sentence?
AML is one of the more common types of leukemia among adults and is rarely diagnosed in people under age 40. As Dr. Wang explains in this video,
AML is no longer considered a death sentence
.
How long can a person live with acute myeloid leukemia?
Generally with AML, around 20 out of 100 people (around 20%) will survive their leukaemia for
5 years or more after
their diagnosis.
What should I do if my monocytes are high?
If it’s too high, it means your body is fighting something.
Regular exercise
is an important component to overall good health and maintaining the right blood counts. There’s some evidence to suggest exercise can help improve monocyte function, especially as you age.
What happens if you have too many monocytes?
Having too many monocytes also causes many of the symptoms of CMML. These
monocytes can settle in the spleen or liver
, enlarging these organs. An enlarged spleen (called splenomegaly) can cause pain in the upper left part of the belly (abdomen). It can also cause people to notice they feel full too fast when they eat.
How high would monocytes be with leukemia?
A common sign of CMML is a high number of monocytes,
greater than 1,000 per microliter
.
