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Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. Acute leukaemia means it progresses quickly and aggressively, and usually requires immediate treatment.

Acute leukaemia is classified according to the type of white blood cells affected.

The 2 main types of white blood cells are:

  • lymphocytes – which fight viral infections
  • myeloid cells – which do different things, such as fighting bacterial infections, defending the body against parasites and preventing the spread of tissue damage

This topic focuses on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which is an aggressive cancer of the myeloid cells.

The following types of leukaemia are covered separately:

  • acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
  • chronic myeloid leukaemia
  • chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Coronavirus advice

Get advice about coronavirus and cancer:

  • Macmillan: Coronavirus guidance for people with cancer
  • Cancer Research UK: Coronavirus and cancer

Symptoms of AML

The symptoms of AML usually develop over a few weeks and become worse over time.

Symptoms can include:

  • looking pale or "washed out"
  • feeling tired or weak
  • breathlessness
  • frequent infections
  • unusual and frequent bruising or bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds
  • losing weight without trying to

Seeking medical advice

Speak to a GP if you or your child have possible symptoms of AML.

Although it's highly unlikely that leukaemia is the cause, these symptoms should be investigated.

If your GP thinks you may have leukaemia, they'll arrange blood tests to check your blood cell production.

If the tests suggest there's a problem, you'll be urgently referred to a specialist in treating blood conditions (haematologist) for further tests and treatment.

Find out more about diagnosing AML

What causes AML?

It's not clear exactly what causes AML and, in most cases, there's no identifiable cause.

But some things can increase your risk of getting AML, including:

  • previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • exposure to very high levels of radiation (including previous radiotherapy treatment)
  • smoking and other exposure to benzene, a chemical used in manufacturing that's also found in cigarette smoke
  • having a blood disorder or some genetic conditions, such as Down's syndrome

Find out more about the causes of AML

Who's affected

AML is a rare type of cancer, with around 3,100 people diagnosed with it each year in the UK.

The risk of developing AML increases with age. It's most common in people over 75.

How AML is treated

Treatment for AML needs to begin as soon as possible, as it can develop quickly.

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for AML. It's used to kill as many leukaemia cells in your body as possible and reduce the risk of the condition coming back (relapsing).

In some cases, intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be needed, in combination with a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

Find out more about treating AML

Help and support

There are organisations that offer information, advice and support if you or a family member has been diagnosed with AML.

These include:

  • Leukaemia Care – you can also call their freephone helpline on 08088 010 444, or email support@leukaemiacare.org.uk
  • Cancer Research UK
  • Macmillan Cancer Support

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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1,921 public posts

Webinar 3.30pm, Thursday 11th March - Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) treatment update

Please join us for our 2nd webinar in the acute leukaemia treatment updates series. This webinar will update on how AML is treated today and what is on the horizon: how is a therapy chosen, how is prognosis determined and what level of involvement should patients expect in their care decisions. The
Please join us for our 2nd webinar in the acute leukaemia treatment updates series. This webinar will update on how AML is treated today and what is on the horizon: how is a therapy chosen, how is prognosis determined and what level of involvement should patients expect in their care decisions. The
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

Join us this morning at 11am for the launch or the Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) North of England Virtual Support Group

10th August at 11am – Launch meeting – Hosted by Jessica Turner, Leukaemia Care North-West Regional Coordinator. Our Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) North Virtual Support Group is for anyone who has been diagnosed with AML in the North of England.
10th August at 11am – Launch meeting – Hosted by Jessica Turner, Leukaemia Care North-West Regional Coordinator. Our Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) North Virtual Support Group is for anyone who has been diagnosed with AML in the North of England.
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

Parp Inhibitors - what are the risks?

syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia across PARP inhibitor groups was 0·73% (... 21 events out of 4533 patients) and across placebo groups was 0·47% (... three events out of 2774 patients)."
syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia across PARP inhibitor groups was 0·73% (... 21 events out of 4533 patients) and across placebo groups was 0·47% (... three events out of 2774 patients)."
pjoshea13
in Advanced Prostate Cancer
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Join us tomorrow at 4.00pm 5th August for the launch of the AML Virtual Support Group (South UK)

Our friendly virtual support group is open to anybody from the south of the UK that has been affected by a acute myeloid leukaemia diagnosis. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and share in real time your experiences.
Our friendly virtual support group is open to anybody from the south of the UK that has been affected by a acute myeloid leukaemia diagnosis. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and share in real time your experiences.
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

WEBINAR - Immunisations and living with the challenges of a compromised immune system – “top tips for staying safe”

University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Gillian Marshall, Haematology CNS at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Samantha Slaney, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patient Nick York, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patient and Patient Advocacy Healthcare Liaison Officer
University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Gillian Marshall, Haematology CNS at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Samantha Slaney, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patient Nick York, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patient and Patient Advocacy Healthcare Liaison Officer
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

Reminder 3.30pm Monday WEBINAR - Immunisations and living with the challenges of a compromised immune system – “top tips for staying safe”

University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Gillian Marshall, Haematology CNS at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Samantha Slaney, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patient Nick York, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patient and Patient Advocacy Healthcare Liaison Officer
University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Gillian Marshall, Haematology CNS at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham Samantha Slaney, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patient Nick York, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patient and Patient Advocacy Healthcare Liaison Officer
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

Diagnosis

My son was diagnosed with this whilst fight acute myeloid leukaemia unfortunately he passed away last July so I cannot determine the genetic element it didn’t seem important at the time hes was diagnosed with liver biopsy .
My son was diagnosed with this whilst fight acute myeloid leukaemia unfortunately he passed away last July so I cannot determine the genetic element it didn’t seem important at the time hes was diagnosed with liver biopsy .
Christie22
in Haemochromatosis Society UK

Atypical cases of necrotizing sweet syndrome in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia

In approx. 15-20% of SWEET'S SYNDROME patients, their condition can be triggered by CANCER, one of the commonest being myelodyplastic syndromes which can progress to acute myeloid leukaemia.
In approx. 15-20% of SWEET'S SYNDROME patients, their condition can be triggered by CANCER, one of the commonest being myelodyplastic syndromes which can progress to acute myeloid leukaemia.
Shell567Sweet's Syndrome UK
in Sweet's Syndrome UK

AML video update of advances in AML treatment by Dr Manos Nikolousis

In this video, he describes how, thanks to increasing use of genetic and molecular information, newer non-chemotherapy medicines are changing the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). https://youtu.be/dEQyvbOqISE
In this video, he describes how, thanks to increasing use of genetic and molecular information, newer non-chemotherapy medicines are changing the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). https://youtu.be/dEQyvbOqISE
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

Sweet's syndrome during induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia – case report and mini review.

In 15-20% of cases, Sweet's syndrome (SS) develops secondary to cancer, the blood cancer, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), being the commonest. Out of the total number of malignancy-associated cases, 85% have blood cancer.
In 15-20% of cases, Sweet's syndrome (SS) develops secondary to cancer, the blood cancer, acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), being the commonest. Out of the total number of malignancy-associated cases, 85% have blood cancer.
Shell567Sweet's Syndrome UK
in Sweet's Syndrome UK

Targeting stem cells that drive aggressive blood cancer

This article discusses how some other research they are conducting might go towards helping patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Generally speaking, the treating of AML is not always very successful... Hopefully, this front might be starting to change also...
This article discusses how some other research they are conducting might go towards helping patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Generally speaking, the treating of AML is not always very successful... Hopefully, this front might be starting to change also...
socrates_8
in MPN Voice

SCIENCE WORKING TO PREVENT AML TRANSITION THROUGH BLOCKING GENE TALK

Potentially, it has discovered that two High Risk (HR) genes that already were bad enough on their own create a partnership of sorts that Might lead to transitional changes towards becoming Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), and what's really exciting, is that they may have found a way to prevent that gene
Potentially, it has discovered that two High Risk (HR) genes that already were bad enough on their own create a partnership of sorts that Might lead to transitional changes towards becoming Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), and what's really exciting, is that they may have found a way to prevent that gene
socrates_8
in MPN Voice

One-to-one buddy support

We have trained buddies to support those diagnosed with: myeloid leukaemia (AML) lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia
We have trained buddies to support those diagnosed with: myeloid leukaemia (AML) lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

Update after BMB

It's been awhile since my first BMB, but have been recovering & processing the results. I had a hard time with sedation & took me some time to reset myself from that ordeal (getting sick, having two veins blow out with blood draws & iv). I lost weight & only weighed at 104 lbs that day! I was diagnosed
It's been awhile since my first BMB, but have been recovering & processing the results. I had a hard time with sedation & took me some time to reset myself from that ordeal (getting sick, having two veins blow out with blood draws & iv). I lost weight & only weighed at 104 lbs that day! I was diagnosed
Androg
in MPN Voice

Hydroxyurea side effects?

I have PV and I am Jak2+.Currently on Phlebotomy and baby aspirin.I usually have Phlebotomy about every 6 weeks to keep my Hematocrit below 45.Platelets around 600. Hemoglobin 13 and WBC on high side at 1750. I am considering Hydroxyurea or Busulfan oral. I know this has been discussed previously but
I have PV and I am Jak2+.Currently on Phlebotomy and baby aspirin.I usually have Phlebotomy about every 6 weeks to keep my Hematocrit below 45.Platelets around 600. Hemoglobin 13 and WBC on high side at 1750. I am considering Hydroxyurea or Busulfan oral. I know this has been discussed previously but
Ridenez
in MPN Voice

Interferon-alpha for treating polycythemia vera yields improved myelofibrosis-free and overall survival

« Interferon-alpha (rIFNα) is the only disease-modifying treatment for polycythemia vera (PV), but whether or not it prolongs survival is unknown. This large single center retrospective study of 470 PV patients compares the myelofibrosis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) with rIFNα to two
« Interferon-alpha (rIFNα) is the only disease-modifying treatment for polycythemia vera (PV), but whether or not it prolongs survival is unknown. This large single center retrospective study of 470 PV patients compares the myelofibrosis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) with rIFNα to two
Manouche
in MPN Voice

Sad news

It has taken me some time to write this... but I hope my husband’s journey with MPN is perceived overall a message hope to others. He was diagnosed with PV aged 46 and had a great quality of life for 28 years ,needing only phlebotomy -initially weekly but eventually every six weeks or so . He progressed
It has taken me some time to write this... but I hope my husband’s journey with MPN is perceived overall a message hope to others. He was diagnosed with PV aged 46 and had a great quality of life for 28 years ,needing only phlebotomy -initially weekly but eventually every six weeks or so . He progressed
Joe500
in MPN Voice

Webinar 3.30pm, Tuesday 6th April - Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treatment update

Please join us for the 3rd in the series of acute leukaemia treatment updates. This webinar will update on how ALL is treated today and what is on the horizon: how is a therapy chosen, how is prognosis determined and what level of involvement should patients expect in their care decisions. The webinar
Please join us for the 3rd in the series of acute leukaemia treatment updates. This webinar will update on how ALL is treated today and what is on the horizon: how is a therapy chosen, how is prognosis determined and what level of involvement should patients expect in their care decisions. The webinar
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

Webinar 9.30am, Wednesday 3rd March - Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) treatment update

Please join us for the 1st in our series of free treatment updates in acute leukaemia. This webinar will update on how APL is treated today and what is on the horizon: how is a therapy chosen, how is prognosis determined and what level of involvement should patients expect in their care decisions. The
Please join us for the 1st in our series of free treatment updates in acute leukaemia. This webinar will update on how APL is treated today and what is on the horizon: how is a therapy chosen, how is prognosis determined and what level of involvement should patients expect in their care decisions. The
HAIRBEAR_UKAdministrator
in Leukaemia CARE

Anti inflammatory eating..

Morning.. I am a MF patient, (52 working full time), and for a while have been interested in how nutrition can help me. I can be very good about a varied diet, and then get bored of it, or the perceived effort of planning and doing etc.... However lockdown has made eating well harder, shopping online
Morning.. I am a MF patient, (52 working full time), and for a while have been interested in how nutrition can help me. I can be very good about a varied diet, and then get bored of it, or the perceived effort of planning and doing etc.... However lockdown has made eating well harder, shopping online
Mrs_Average
in MPN Voice
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