Acute Myeloid Leukemia World Awareness Day

Today (April 21) is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) World Awareness Day. I want to spotlight what this cancer means for children, so here are some fast facts:

  • AML is a cancer of the bone marrow that makes abnormal blood cells (myeloid cells can make multiple cell types).
  • AML can be a secondary cancer, or a cancer that is caused by treatment of the first cancer.
  • AML is most common in children under 2 or in teens.
  • About 500 children are diagnosed with AML annually in the US.
  • Signs of AML in children include odd fevers, bruising and bleeding, or feeling very tired.
  • The Leukemia cells can spread beyond the blood, sometimes forming tumors such as a myeloid sarcoma.
  • Factors that can change a prognosis include underlying conditions, age, and how the AML has spread.
  • There is no standard staging for AML, but there are subtypes.
  • Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplants (learn more about becoming a donor here), and targeted therapies are used, as well as supportive care. Maintenance chemo is not used with AML.
  • There is a 30-35% chance of relapse, even with full treatment, but this varies by risk factor.
  • These treatments can have a variety of side effects, from additional cancers to memory changes to heart problems.

According to St. Jude's, the five year survival rate for childhood AML is about 70%, but remember, five years from age 2 is only age 7. The event-free survival rate is 60-65%.

Know AML is running an awareness campaign for April 21. You can read more here.



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