Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) - adult

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Acute Monocytic Leukemia - Skin

Auer rods

Blood cells

AML; Acute myeloid leukemia (AML); Acute granulocytic leukemia; Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL); Leukemia - acute myeloid (AML); Leukemia - acute granulocytic; Leukemia - nonlymphocytic (ANLL)

The goal of treatment is to kill the cancer cells with chemotherapy. Unfortunately, chemotherapy also harms normal cells. This raises the risk for side effects, such as excessive bleeding caused by low numbers of platelets and infection caused by a low white blood count. It takes several weeks for the bone marrow to recover and start producing normal cells.

Other treatment involves:

• Isolating the patient to prevent infection
• Antibiotics to treat infection
• Transfusions of platelets to control bleeding
• Red blood cell transfusions to fight anemia

After remission is achieved, further treatment called consolidation is necessary to achieve a permanent cure. Consolidation may consist of additional chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, or a stem cell transplant. Transplants may also be performed in those whose disease has come back.

Most of the different subtypes of AML have similar treatment. However, one form of AML, called acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), is treated with a medicine called all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). ATRA helps leukemia cells to grow into normal white blood cells. ATRA has increased the cure rate for this type of AML. The drug arsenic trioxide is approved for use in patients with APL who have failed treatment with ATRA or chemotherapy.

For additional information and resources, see cancer support group and leukemia support group.

Complete remission occurs in 70 - 80% of patients. Overall, about 33% of persons under age 65 survive free of disease at 5 years from diagnosis. This 5-year survival rate drops dramatically (4%) in those older than 65. In general, patients who are younger have a better chance of survival than older patients. This is partly due to one's ability to tolerate the strong chemotherapy medicines.