What's acute myeloid leukemia?

Blood cancer: AML is a blood cancer affecting a type of white blood cells called myeloid cells. It often occurs in late adult/elderly patients and has a short development phase usually (hence acute). Intensive chemotherapy and often bone marrow transplant can be effective with long term survival in 40-50% cases. AML in the elderly is more difficult to treat and results are worse.

See links: For a nice overview of aml, see the following pages at the national cancer institute. For adult: http://www.Cancer.Gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/adultaml/patient for pediatric: http://www.Cancer.Gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/childaml/patient.

Leukemia is...: ... a cancer of the bone marrow progenitor cells that normally make blood cells. It arises from of series of unlucky gene mutations in a single bone marrow progenitor cell. The "acute" forms show lack of maturation with increased numbers of immature leukemic "blast" cells growing in the marrow. This causes symptoms of anemia, bruising and infection - resulting from low # of healthy blood cells.

Marrow malignancy: AML is a bone marrow malignancy characterized by uncontrolled growth of leukemic cells in the bone marrow. It leads to very high white blood cell counts, anemia and thrombocytopenia (low platelets). It is rapidly fatal without prompt diagnosis and treatment. It can be cured in up to about 40% of people.

See below...: Once a diagnosis of leukemia is made, a referral to a hematologist/oncologist is necessary. The oncologist will decide what the best treatment plan is and how to manage the condition. Immediate consultation with a hematologist/oncologist is of paramount importance for a favorable outcome.