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
Mackenzie P., Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, passing out, getting sick easily, bleeding and bruising quickly
Treatments: Chemotherapy (induction and maintenance chemotherapy), stem cell transplant, clinical trials
Grace M., Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Symptom: Headache that persisted for 1 week
Treatments: Chemotherapy, stem cell transplant
Emily T.
Symptoms: Nosebleeds, fever, chills, small red spots all over the body
Treatment: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
