Acute
Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a malignancy that arises
in either granulocytes or monocytes which are white blood cells
that battle infectious agents throughout the body. AML is not
inherited or contagious. It develops when there is a defect
in the immature cells in the bone marrow. Although the exact
cause of AML is unknown, exposure to benzene,
cigarettes smoking, and prior exposure to chemotherapy
drugs are linked to the disease.
The effects of AML are:
1) the uncontrolled, exaggerated growth and accumulation of
cells called "leukemic blasts," which fail to function
as normal blood cells, and
2) the blockade of the production of normal marrow cells, leading
to a deficiency of red cells (anemia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia)
and normal white cells (especially neutrophils, i.e. neutropenia)
in the blood.
Acute myelogenous leukemia is the most common type of leukemia
in adults, with an estimated 10,100 new cases of AML reported
each year. Older people are more likely to develop AML than
children. In fact, the risk for developing the disease increases
about ten-fold from age 30 (1 case per 100,000) to age 70 (1
case per 10,000).
Acute myelogenous leukemia may be called by several names,
including acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia,
acute granulocytic leukemia, or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
AML Subtypes
The subtypes of AML are classified based on the stage of development
myeloblasts have reached at the time of diagnosis. The categories
and subsets allow the physician to decide what treatment works
best for the cell type and how quickly the disease may develop.
(Designation / Cell subtype) -
M1, Myeloblastic, without maturation
M2, Myeloblastic, with maturation
M3, Promyelocytic
M4, Myelomonocytic
M5, Monocytic
M6, Erythroleukemia
M7, Megakaryocytic
AML is a very common form of leukemia in adults. More than 10,000 adults are diagnosed each year in the USA. 65 is the average age of people diagnosed with AML. Acute myelogenous leukemia affects more men than women, and is a little more common among whites than blacks.
Prognosis, Survival Rates, and What to Expect
70% to 80% of acute myelogenous leukemia patients experience complete remission. In total, about 20% to 30% of patients survive and are free of AML 5 years after the diagnosis. AML patients who have not had a relapse during this time are considered completely cured, because most relapses happen within 2 years of the AML diagnosis.
Acute myelogenous leukemia patients who are under 60 years of age have a better chance of survival than those patients that are older. This is due to many factors including being able to stand the strong chemotherapy medicines that are used to treat AML. With no treatment, AML leukemia patient life expectancy is about 3 to 4 months.
Find out more about…
AML Symptoms &
Diagnosis | AML
Treatment Options
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Leukemia Cancer Information