Acute Myeloid Leukaemia is a form of cancer that stems from a mutation of cells that reside in the bone marrow. Bone marrow creates young white blood cells, called myeloid cells, which grow into red and white blood cells or platelets. When these myeloid precursor cells have done their jobs, they are replaced by new cells. When you have AML, these myeloid cells replicate much faster than they should, taking up space in your body, and keeping healthy cells from bringing oxygen, fighting off infections, or healing injuries. These malignant cells can spread to other parts of the body, most commonly to the nervous system, liver, spleen or testicles, which can severely affect their ability to function.
There are several subtypes of AML, identified by a few factors, such as the number of healthy blood cells present, the size and number of these cells, and changes in DNA. Identifying a subtype can change your treatment plan and even your overall prognosis. For example, while nearly all AML subtypes are caused by DNA mutations, some mutations are more likely to lead to remission than others. Unlike other cancers, the progression of AML is not measured in stages.
AML is a fast-growing cancer, which means you will likely begin to feel some, or all, of these symptoms relatively quickly after the disease takes hold. The symptoms of AML are similar to other forms of leukaemia and may include:
There are several ways to test for AML, most commonly:
While AML is the most commonly diagnosed form of leukaemia, it is still an extremely rare blood disease, accounting for just 1% of all cancers. Because of its rarity, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact number of current cases worldwide. That said, the World Health Organization estimated that in 2012 there were about 351,965 cases globally.9
Currently, it is impossible to detect AML before symptoms appear. However, there are common factors that can identify those who may be more likely to develop this disease, including:
Treatment for AML will depend on your AML subtype, your age and health, family history, and any present infections or additional genetic mutations.10
Because this is a fast-moving disease, treatments need to be immediate and aggressive once the best path has been identified. Regardless of the treatment specifics, plans generally follow a two-step process:
There are four common types of treatment:11
A rare blood disease diagnosis can be an earth-shattering experience, and there is no doubt this will be a trying time for those with this disease. Because there is no way to see if you have AML until it is already present, coupled with its fast-acting nature, those with AML will likely feel as though their world has pulled out from under them.
As a loved one, it is important to offer strength and assistance wherever possible. Offer rides to chemotherapy treatments, encourage your loved one to eat when they do not have the appetite to do so. Maybe even put time into researching AML or looking for potential clinical trials.
In the time after diagnosis, those with AML will likely be thrust into an overwhelming sea of doctors, adding to the physical and emotional stress of not knowing what the future will hold. In those moments, when they are at the very tipping point, you can be the anchor that rights the ship. You can help them weather the storm at its worst and allow them to continue to sail on. As a loved one, you cannot make the fight for survival easier, but you can help make it less lonely.
The list below includes example questions to help start a conversation with your health care provider. There may be other relevant questions based on your symptoms, stage, and medical history that are not listed here.