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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:49 Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
1:18 Causes of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
2:15 Diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
2:34 Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia


Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal cells that build up in the bone marrow and blood and interfere with normal blood cell production.[1] Symptoms may include feeling tired, shortness of breath, easy bruising and bleeding, and increased risk of infection.[1] Occasionally, spread may occur to the brain, skin, or gums.[1] As an acute leukemia, AML progresses rapidly, and is typically fatal within weeks or months if left untreated.[1]

Risk factors include smoking, previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy, myelodysplastic syndrome, and exposure to the chemical benzene.[1] The underlying mechanism involves replacement of normal bone marrow with leukemia cells, which results in a drop in red blood cells, platelets, and normal white blood cells.[1] Diagnosis is generally based on bone marrow aspiration and specific blood tests.[3] AML has several subtypes for which treatments and outcomes may vary.[1]

The first-line treatment of AML is usually chemotherapy, with the aim of inducing remission.[1] People may then go on to receive additional chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a stem cell transplant.[1][3] The specific genetic mutations present within the cancer cells may guide therapy, as well as determine how long that person is likely to survive.[3]

In 2015, AML affected about one million people, and resulted in 147,000 deaths globally.[4][5] It most commonly occurs in older adults.[2] Males are affected more often than females.[2] The five-year survival rate is about 35% in people under 60 years old and 10% in people over 60 years old.[3] Older people whose health is too poor for intensive chemotherapy have a typical survival of five to ten months.[3] It accounts for roughly 1.1% of all cancer cases, and 1.9% of cancer deaths in the United States.[2]

In this webcast, Dr. Florian Kuchenbauer will explain modern approaches to classification and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. He will further discuss clinical trials that changed treatment paradigms and explain how research opens new treatment avenues. This interactive and easy to understand webcast is aimed at patients, relatives, friends and everybody who is interested in acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow. Watch this video to learn more about AML, its symptoms, treatment and care.

Minerva was working as a therapist and on the road to earning her PhD when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Thanks to Dr. Ellen Ritchie and the Leukemia Program at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, she's now in remission and using her cancer experience to help others navigate difficult situations.

Discover stories of 15 patients and their family members on what living with AML means to them and the adjustments they’ve made to everyday life.