Possible Risk Factors for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By National Cancer Institute
 

Smoking, previous chemotherapy treatment, and exposure to radiation may affect the risk of developing adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Possible risk factors for AML include the following:

  • Being male.
  • Smoking, especially after age 60.
  • Having had treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the past.
  • Having had treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the past.
  • Being exposed to atomic bomb radiation or the chemical benzene.
  • Having a history of a blood disorder such as myelodysplastic syndrome.
This content was last modified on August 11, 2007 .
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