Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia — the risk factors and treatment

Abstract

The incidence of cancers in the world is steadily increasing. Anticancer procedures are more effective but unfortunately result in secondary complications, including an increased incidence oftherapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML). Of key importance in the pathogenesis of t-AML is chemotherapy, including alkylating agents and inhibitors of topoisomerase II, but also autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation, radiotherapy and old age. The outcomes of conventional chemotherapy in these cases are particularly bad. The only current method giving the chance forcure in t-AML patients is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. Increased risk of developing secondary neoplasms in patients after cancer treatment creates the need to cover persistent medical surveillance in this patients.