Risk factors for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

The following factors increase your chance of developing AML:

• Sex: male
• Smoking, especially after age 60
• Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatment
• Previous treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) , Hodgkin’s disease , non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma , and certain other cancers
• Exposure to atomic bomb radiation or nuclear reactor accident
• Exposure to the chemical benzene
• History of a blood disorder, such as myelodysplastic syndrome (precancerous changes in the white cells and precursor cells of the bone marrow)

The following risk factors are specific to childhood AML:

• Having a brother or sister with leukemia
• Race: Hispanic
• Exposure to cigarette smoke or alcohol before birth
• History of myelodysplastic syndrome or aplastic anemia
• Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatment
• Exposure to ionizing radiation
• Exposure to chemicals such as benzene
• Certain genetic disorders, such as Down’s syndrome