Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
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Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults, however across all types of cancers it only makes up 1% of those diagnosed in the United States.
AML is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, or the spongey area inside the bones where blood cells are formed. AML gets its name because myelogenous refers to its affect on a group of white blood cells called myeloid cells.
As cancer diagnoses and terminology is quite confusing and overwhelming, it's important to note that AML can also be called the following things:
- acute myeloid leukemia
- acute myeloblastic leukemia
- acute granulocytic leukemia
- acute nonlymphocytic leukemia
Who's most at risk?
The most common age at diagnosis is 65 years old and the disease is more likely to occur in men than in women. The risk factors that have been identified with AML include
- radiation or chemotherapy from previous illnesses, radiation from nuclear exposure
- exposure to chemicals
- smoking
- certain blood disorders
- some genetic disorders and retroviruses, such as HIV.
Diagnosis
There are a few tests that your medical team will run if they suspect you may have AML based on your symptoms.
First, they will probably run some standard blood tests. These are the least invasive tests for AML. Typically people with AML have:
- Too many white blood cells
- Too little red blood cells
- Not enough platelets
- irregular cells called blast cells
While the blood tests are good at leading doctors to believe that you may have AML, a bone marrow test is used to confirm a diagnosis of AML.
A bone marrow test is done by removing bone marrow from the hipbone with a thin needle. The area will be numbed, so you shouldn't be in pain, but the test can feel a bit uncomfortable. Your medical team may also perform a spinal tap. This is where fluid from around the spinal cord is removed, also through a thin needle.
AML has different subtypes, or variations. If you have been diagnosed with AML, your medical team will also need to figure out what your subtype is as well. They should be able to work out your subtype with genetic testing. This testing can be done with the blood and bone marrow sample that your doctors have already taken.
Treatment
Treating AML falls into two main phases called induction and consolidation.
Induction
This is the first stage of treatment that kills as many leukemia cells as it can from the blood and bone marrow. Depending on your subtype, this may include both chemotherapy and targeted therapy. However, this doesn't mean that the cancer can't come back.
Consolidation
This is the second phase which will make sure that the cancer won't return. It may also be called maintenance therapy. The treatment for maintenance therapy may include chemotherapy and targeted therapy as well. Your medical team may also encourage you to have a bone marrow transplant. If this is the case, you will most likely have both chemotherapy and radiation before the bone marrow transplant.
More support
AML requires a medical team of multiple types of doctors and medical professionals, and you may be offered different options for treatment plans.
Please refer to the support pages below, our chat with us if you have any questions!
Talk to me.
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults, however across all types of cancers it only makes up 1% of those diagnosed in the United States.
AML is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, or the spongey area inside the bones where blood cells are formed. AML gets its name because myelogenous refers to its affect on a group of white blood cells called myeloid cells.
As cancer diagnoses and terminology is quite confusing and overwhelming, it's important to note that AML can also be called the following things:
- acute myeloid leukemia
- acute myeloblastic leukemia
- acute granulocytic leukemia
- acute nonlymphocytic leukemia
Who's most at risk?
The most common age at diagnosis is 65 years old and the disease is more likely to occur in men than in women. The risk factors that have been identified with AML include
- radiation or chemotherapy from previous illnesses, radiation from nuclear exposure
- exposure to chemicals
- smoking
- certain blood disorders
- some genetic disorders and retroviruses, such as HIV.
Diagnosis
There are a few tests that your medical team will run if they suspect you may have AML based on your symptoms.
First, they will probably run some standard blood tests. These are the least invasive tests for AML. Typically people with AML have:
- Too many white blood cells
- Too little red blood cells
- Not enough platelets
- irregular cells called blast cells
While the blood tests are good at leading doctors to believe that you may have AML, a bone marrow test is used to confirm a diagnosis of AML.
A bone marrow test is done by removing bone marrow from the hipbone with a thin needle. The area will be numbed, so you shouldn't be in pain, but the test can feel a bit uncomfortable. Your medical team may also perform a spinal tap. This is where fluid from around the spinal cord is removed, also through a thin needle.
AML has different subtypes, or variations. If you have been diagnosed with AML, your medical team will also need to figure out what your subtype is as well. They should be able to work out your subtype with genetic testing. This testing can be done with the blood and bone marrow sample that your doctors have already taken.
Treatment
Treating AML falls into two main phases called induction and consolidation.
Induction
This is the first stage of treatment that kills as many leukemia cells as it can from the blood and bone marrow. Depending on your subtype, this may include both chemotherapy and targeted therapy. However, this doesn't mean that the cancer can't come back.
Consolidation
This is the second phase which will make sure that the cancer won't return. It may also be called maintenance therapy. The treatment for maintenance therapy may include chemotherapy and targeted therapy as well. Your medical team may also encourage you to have a bone marrow transplant. If this is the case, you will most likely have both chemotherapy and radiation before the bone marrow transplant.
More support
AML requires a medical team of multiple types of doctors and medical professionals, and you may be offered different options for treatment plans.
Please refer to the support pages below, our chat with us if you have any questions!
Symptom list:
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
Financial support
Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.
p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.
Emotional support
Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!
