Acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer that starts in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy center of your bones where blood cells are made. It happens when the body produces large numbers of immature white blood cells, called myeloblasts, that don’t work as they should. Instead of helping fight infection, they crowd out healthy blood cells. Over time, this can affect your ability to fight infections, carry oxygen, and control bleeding. AML is considered acute, meaning it progresses quickly and needs prompt treatment.

Sometimes called acute myelogenous leukemia or acute myeloblastic leukemia, AML is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults, though it can occur at any age.

Penn Medicine offers world-leading blood cancer care designed for speed and precision that keeps pace with advanced cancers like AML. We fast-track testing to minimize wait times, using your specific blood cancer profile to build a targeted treatment plan that hits the mark from the very start.

AML isn’t just one disease. It has different subtypes based on how the leukemia cells look and the genetic changes within them. These differences help your care team understand how the leukemia may behave, including how fast it may grow and which treatments are most likely to work.

• Therapy-related AML can develop after chemotherapy or radiation used to treat another cancer.
• AML linked to prior blood disorders may develop from earlier blood conditions.
• AML with specific genetic changes is marked by abnormalities in the leukemia cells.
• Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is defined by specific genetic changes in the leukemia cells and is managed differently than most forms of AML.

AML symptoms can come on quickly and may feel like common illnesses at first. Talk to your doctor if you notice changes that don’t go away or seem to get worse.

Common signs include:

• Feeling tired or weak
• Repeated infections
• Fever
• Bruising or bleeding easily
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Bone or joint pain
• Headaches or dizziness
• Abdominal discomfort or a feeling of fullness
• Unexplained weight loss

AML develops when changes, or mutations, occur in the DNA of developing bone marrow cells. These changes cause the cells to grow and divide out of control.

Doctors don’t always know exactly why this happens, but certain factors can increase risk. These include older age, previous cancer treatments, exposure to certain chemicals over time, smoking, and inherited conditions or blood disorders.

Unlike many other cancers, acute myeloid leukemia isn’t described in stages. It doesn’t form a single tumor that grows or spreads like solid cancers. Instead, it is grouped using specific features, including cell type, genetic changes, and overall risk.

There’s no sure way to prevent AML. However, you can lower your risk by:

• Avoiding tobacco
• Limiting exposure to harmful chemicals when possible
• Following safety guidelines at work if you’re around industrial substances

Regular checkups may help identify blood-related changes early, especially in people with known risk factors.

At Penn Medicine, people with acute myeloid leukemia are supported by a team with deep experience in blood cancers. This includes:

• Leadership in leukemia research: Our experts have helped shape many of the approaches used for leukemia today.
• Support to help you navigate care: A dedicated nurse navigator helps coordinate appointments, testing, and next steps, making the process easier to manage.
• Access to advanced techniques: We offer a full range of therapies, including newer targeted treatments and clinical trials.

From diagnosis through follow-up, you’ll have a clear path that fits your needs and helps you feel confident about what comes next.