Rising Incidence of Therapy-Related Leukemia Post-Breast Cancer Treatment
Synopsis
A groundbreaking study from Japan highlights the increasing rates of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia, particularly among breast cancer survivors. This alarming trend raises critical questions about the long-term effects of cancer treatments.
Key Takeaways
tAML incidence is rising post-cancer treatments.
Breast cancer survivors are particularly affected.
The study emphasizes the importance of understanding long-term treatment effects.
Monitoring cancer survivors is crucial for patient safety.
Shifts in primary cancer types treated prior to tAML have been observed.
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) A comprehensive study conducted in Japan has indicated a steady rise in the incidence of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (tAML) in recent years, particularly following treatments for breast cancer, as reported on Monday.
Published in the peer-reviewed journal Cancer by Wiley, affiliated with the American Cancer Society, the research highlights that certain cancer therapies might elevate the risk of developing subsequent blood-related cancers.
tAML is an aggressive form of blood cancer that originates in the bone marrow and typically occurs after chemotherapy or radiation for an earlier primary cancer, likely resulting from DNA damage caused by these treatments.
“This study marks a significant advancement in understanding the evolving nature of tAML amidst the rising population of cancer survivors,” stated the lead researcher, Kenji Kishimoto from the Osaka International Cancer Institute.
To determine if tAML is becoming more prevalent as a complication of post-cancer therapies, researchers examined data from the Osaka Cancer Registry, focusing on patients diagnosed with AML between 1990 and 2020.
Out of nearly 9,841 AML patients, 636 (6.5 percent) were found to have tAML. The annual incidence of tAML rose from 0.13 per 100,000 individuals in 1990 to 0.36 per 100,000 individuals in 2020. The share of tAML cases within overall AML cases nearly doubled during this timeframe.
The predominant primary cancer treated before the emergence of tAML was another blood cancer (23.1 percent), followed by breast cancer (14.6 percent), colorectal cancer (11.5 percent), and gastric cancer (8.7 percent).
The study also noted a shift in the types of primary cancers over time, showing a marked increase in breast cancer cases and a decline in gastric cancer cases.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the implications of this study on cancer treatment protocols. The rising rates of therapy-related complications underscore the need for continued research and monitoring of cancer survivors. Health professionals must prioritize patient education and informed decision-making regarding treatment options.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (tAML)?
tAML is an aggressive blood cancer that can develop after chemotherapy or radiation for a prior cancer, primarily due to DNA damage from these treatments.
How has the incidence of tAML changed over recent years?
The annual incidence of tAML has increased from 0.13 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 0.36 per 100,000 in 2020.
What primary cancers are associated with tAML?
The most common primary cancers prior to tAML development include blood cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer.
What did the study published in Cancer reveal?
The study showed a significant rise in tAML rates, particularly after breast cancer treatments, highlighting the long-term risks of cancer therapies.
Who conducted the study on tAML?
The study was led by Kenji Kishimoto from the Osaka International Cancer Institute and analyzed data from the Osaka Cancer Registry.
