What is acute myelogenous leukemia?
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. It causes the body to produce abnormal white blood cells that don’t work properly. These cells grow quickly and crowd out healthy blood cells, making it harder for your body to fight infection, carry oxygen, and stop bleeding.
Symptoms and Causes
AML symptoms can appear suddenly and may worsen quickly. Because they can look like common illnesses, it’s important to pay attention to changes in how you feel.
Common symptoms include:
- Feeling very tired or weak
- Fever or frequent infections
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Bone or joint pain
- Headaches or dizziness
- Swollen gums or lymph nodes
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Tiny red or purple spots on the skin
- Heavy or longer-than-normal menstrual periods
AML develops when changes occur in the DNA of bone marrow cells. These changes cause abnormal cells to grow out of control. Risk may be higher with older age, smoking, certain chemical exposures, or a history of cancer treatment.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose AML, your provider will begin with a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. Blood tests are used to check for abnormal cell counts or signs of leukemia.
If AML is suspected, a bone marrow biopsy is often needed. This test directly examines the cells in your bone marrow. Additional testing may be done to understand the specific type of AML and guide treatment decisions.
How is it treated?
Treatment for AML usually starts quickly after diagnosis. The most common approach is chemotherapy, which destroys leukemia cells.
Other treatments may include:
- Targeted therapy that focuses on specific cancer cell changes
- Stem cell (bone marrow) transplant to replace unhealthy cells
- Supportive care such as blood transfusions or antibiotics
Recovery varies from person to person. Some patients achieve remission, while others may need ongoing treatment or monitoring. Your care team will create a plan tailored to your needs.
