Advances in understanding the mechanisms and management of acute myelogenous leukemia.

PURPOSE/

OBJECTIVES

To review current knowledge about the causes, pathophysiology, treatment, and nursing care of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

DATA SOURCES: Articles, books, and proceedings of national meetings.

DATA SYNTHESIS: AML, an an often fatal disease, is characterized by signs of anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and leukemic cell infiltration throughout the body. Possible etiologies include genetic predisposition and exposure to radiation, chemicals, and viruses. Various types of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation are treatments of choice. Both result in significant side effects and complication rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Throughout every stage, nursing care is of the utmost importance. Research continues to increase understanding of the disease process and the survival of patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Goals of care are directed at prevention of bleeding, infection, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and chemotherapy-related side effects; assisting patients and families to cope with diagnoses, therapy, and prognoses; and helping the patient to achieve an acceptable quality of life regardless of the eventual outcome.