Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer arising from specific blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. This type of cancer progresses quickly, leading to serious health issues if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all acute leukemias.
White blood cells affected by AML remain immature, and they cannot fight off infection as effectively as mature cells.
People with AML may experience various symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, weight loss, and night sweats.
AML is treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
New therapies, such as targeted drugs and immunotherapies, are available to help fight the disease.
A patient's prognosis depends on their age, the specific subtype of AML, and how quickly it is recognized and treated.
Diagnosis of AML requires a complete blood count, a bone marrow aspiration, and a biopsy.
When using chemotherapies to treat AML, the treatment goals are to put the disease into remission and reduce the risk of relapse.
A stem cell transplant, which uses healthy stem cells to replace diseased or damaged cells, can help reduce the risk of relapse.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a nutritious diet, can help reduce the risk of developing AML or its recurrence.
