Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Patient Stories on AML Diagnosis, Treatment & Side Effects

Acute myeloid leukemia or AML is one type of leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that happens when the bone marrow makes an abnormal type of white blood cell called myeloblasts, red blood cells, or platelets. It’s the most common type of acute leukemia in adults.

Explore below to find more about first symptoms, different treatments, side effects and tips on getting through them, as well as impact to quality of life in our in-depth stories spotlighting our incredible AML patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers.

Background

Risk Factors of AML

According to the National Cancer Institute, there are certain factors that may increase the risk of getting acute myeloid leukemia, which does not mean that someone will get cancer or that not having any of the risk factors means someone will not get cancer. Possible AML risk factors include:

• Being male
• A history of smoking, especially age 60+
• A history of undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
• Previously treated for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
• Having a history of a blood disorder such as myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS
• Exposure to radiation from an atomic bomb or to the chemical benzene

AML Symptoms

The following is a list of potential early AML signs and symptoms provided by the NCI. You may check with your doctor if you have:

• Fever
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss or loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Petechiae (flat, pinpoint spots under the skin caused by bleeding)

AML Patient Stories

Sasha T., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)



1st symptoms: Easily bruised and swollen, painful hip
Treatment: 4 chemo infusions, bone marrow transplant

Luisa L., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)



Cancer details: Most common type of acute leukemia in adults
1st symptoms: Painful hives on legs & migraines
Treatment: 3 cycles of chemo, total body radiation & stem cell transplant

Hayley A., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), M5



Cancer details: Most common type of acute leukemia in adults
1st symptoms: Severe fatigue and excessive bleeding after oral surgery
Treatment: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant

Nicole T., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)



1st symptoms: Severe itchiness, night sweats, fatigue
Treatment: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant

Mary Clare B., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)



Cancer details: Relapsed but in remission after 2nd transplant
1st symptoms: Extreme fatigue, upset stomach, bad & persistent headaches
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, 2 bone marrow transplants

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Role: Interim executive director, hematologist-oncologist
Focus: Multiple myeloma, new drug development
Institution: Mayo Clinic
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Focus:Leukemias, Lymphomas, BMT
Institution:UT Southwestern
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Role: Hematologist-oncologist, researcher
Focus: Multiple Myeloma
Institution: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
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