AML Overview
AML by the Numbers
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a rare type of cancer that primarily affects the body's blood and bone marrow. AML usually affects people aged 65 years and older, but it can also affect younger adults and children.
20,000 new cases
Approximately 20,000 new cases of AML are diagnosed every year in the United States.
1% of all cancers
AML is relatively rare accounting for only about 1% of all cancers.
69 years old
The median age of diagnosis for AML is about 69 years. It is primarily a disease of older adults, with the majority of cases occurring in people aged 65 and older.
>75,000 people
Over 75,000 people are estimated to be living with AML in the United States.
1.34 male: 1 female
AML affects slightly more men than women, with a ratio of about 1.3 men for every woman diagnosed.
10% therapy-related AML
Around 10% of AML cases are linked to previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy, categorized as therapy-related AML.
Understanding the Disease
What is AML?
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a rare yet aggressive form of cancer affecting the bone marrow and blood. Normally, the bone marrow produces immature blood stem cells that mature over time into various types of blood cells needed for the body's normal functions. These blood stem cells can differentiate into cells in either the myeloid line, which includes red blood cells, various types of white blood cells, and platelets, or the lymphoid line.
In healthy individuals, myeloid stem cells develop into red blood cells that transport oxygen to all tissues, white blood cells that defend against infections, and platelets that form clots to prevent excessive bleeding. However, in AML, this orderly maturation process is disrupted preventing the cells from developing properly, leading to an overproduction of immature white blood cells called myeloblasts (or myeloid blasts). These myeloblasts, also referred to as leukemia cells, are abnormal and do not mature into healthy white blood cells.
These leukemia cells, which lack normal functionality, multiply rapidly, overwhelming the bone marrow and spilling over into the bloodstream. As their numbers increase, they crowd out the healthy cells, reducing the number of functional red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This disruption leads to a range of health issues, including anemia, increased susceptibility to infections, and problems with bleeding. Moreover, the leukemia cells can also spread to other parts of the body, further complicating the condition.
You and AML
Introducing the MDS Foundation's online patient education resource, "You and AML: An Animated Patient's Guide to Acute Myeloid Leukemia." Embark on a journey of understanding by clicking the button below.
Explore You and AMLExploring Causes
What Causes AML?
The exact cause of AML is not fully understood, but several factors have been identified that increase the risk of developing this disease. These include:
- Age and lifestyle: AML is more common in older adults, particularly those over the age of 65 years, but it can occur at any age. Lifestyle factors, including smoking, can significantly increase the risk of developing leukemia.
- Genetic factors: Some people inherit genetic abnormalities that increase their risk of developing AML. More commonly, genetic mutations acquired during one's lifetime, not inherited from parents, play a crucial role in the development of AML. These changes may result from interactions with environmental factors or from random errors in cell replication.
- Environmental exposure: Exposure to certain chemicals is known to increase the risk of developing AML. This includes prolonged exposure to benzene, which is found in cigarette smoke and certain industrial environments. Radiation exposure also raises the risk of AML.
- Previous cancer treatment: people who received radiation therapy or chemotherapy have an increased risk of developing AML, called 'treatment-related' or 'therapy-related' AML
- Other blood cancers: Individuals with a history of certain blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndromes or myeloproliferative diseases, have a higher risk of developing AML. These conditions also cause blood cells to grow and divide abnormally.
Understanding Common Symptoms
What Are The Symptoms?
The symptoms of AML are varied and may initially present as non-specific, making early stages of the disease difficult to recognize. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, fever, frequent infections, bleeding and bruising. These are primarily due to the body's reduced capacity to produce enough normal blood cells. Additional symptoms include weight loss, night sweats, and swollen lymph nodes, which are also frequently observed. Some patients may experience bone or joint pain, often caused by the accumulation of leukemia cells near or within bone structures or joints.
Fatigue and weakness
Often felt as a general lack of energy and physical weakness, sometimes accompanied by breathlessness during normal activities, these symptoms are typically caused by anemia resulting from a shortage of red blood cells, impairing oxygen transport to the body’s tissues.
Fever and frequent infections
A decrease in healthy white blood cells, especially neutrophils (neutropenia), weakens the immune system, making it more difficult to fend off infections, which may become frequent and severe.
Bleeding and bruising
A low platelet count, known as thrombocytopenia, greatly impairs the blood clotting process, resulting in several noticeable symptoms. These include easy bruising, often excessive, and spontaneous bleeding from the gums or nose. Additionally, minor cuts or abrasions may bleed for longer than normal, indicating the body's struggle to form blood clots effectively.
