Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Risk of Fungal Infections
People with acute myeloid leukemia is more prone to frequent many types of fungal infections, bacterial infections, and viral infections. This increased risk may be attributed to the effects of the disease on the immune system. When cancerous cells grow uncontrollably, they replace healthy blood cells in the body. As a result, the body would produce fewer white blood cells, which play a key role in immunity. In addition, some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy may kill these cells and affect the body’s capability of fighting infections. Both effects explain why acute myeloid leukemia would increase the risk of fungal infections. [2]
