Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
is also called acute myelogenous leukemia. It is a fast-growing cancer of the bone marrow and blood cells. Cells that should become white blood cells (WBCs) do not fully grow. These cells are called myeloblasts and monoblasts. They do not fight infection like a normal WBC should. They crowd the bone marrow and prevent normal blood cells from growing and fighting infection. The exact cause of AML is not known.
Common symptoms include the following:
- Tiredness and weakness that does not go away
- Pale skin that bruises and bleeds easily
- Fever or infections, such as cold or flu, do not get better or keep coming back
- Painful bones or joints
- Stomach pain and discomfort
- Headaches, confusion, and vision problems
- Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying
- Shortness of breath when you exercise
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:
- Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- You suddenly feel lightheaded and are short of breath.
- You have chest pain.
- You have more pain when you take a deep breath or cough.
- You cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- You have a headache, stiff neck, or have trouble seeing or thinking clearly.
- You received chemotherapy in the last 2 weeks and you have a fever.
Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions
Jakafi
Jakafi (ruxolitinib) is used to treat myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, and graft versus host ...
Gleevec
Gleevec is targeted cancer therapy for specific types of leukemia (blood cancer), bone marrow ...
Otezla
Otezla (apremilast) is used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers ...
Imkeldi
Imkeldi is used to treat specific types of leukemia (blood cancer), bone marrow disorders ...
Imatinib
Imatinib is used to treat certain types of leukemia, bone marrow disorders, and skin cancer ...
Ruxolitinib
Ruxolitinib systemic is used for graft versus host disease, myelofibrosis, myeloproliferative ...
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Call your doctor if:
- You have blood in your spit or vomit.
- You are coughing or have shortness of breath.
- You feel dizzy or your heart begins to beat very fast.
- You have sores or white patches in your mouth or throat.
- You have rectal pain or hemorrhoids.
- You have diarrhea or bloody bowel movements.
- Your symptoms return.
- You have pain when you urinate or bad-smelling urine.
- Your gums and nose are bleeding.
- You have blurred vision or blood spots in the whites of your eyes.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment for AML
may happen in phases. In the first phase (induction phase), healthcare providers will give you treatments to make your AML go into remission. Remission means there are no longer any signs of leukemia. After you are in remission, you will receive the next phase of treatment called postremission treatment. The goal of this phase it to kill any hidden leukemia cells and help you stay in remission.
- Chemotherapy medicine is used to kill cancer cells. During induction, your healthcare provider may give you 2 or more kinds of chemotherapy.
- A bone marrow or stem cell transplant is used to put bone marrow or stem cells into your blood through an IV. The stem cells go to your bone marrow and begin to make new blood cells.
Manage your AML:
- Prevent infection. Wash your hands often, avoid people who are sick, and clean humidifiers daily. Ask your healthcare provider for more information on preventing infection.
- Prevent bleeding and bruising. Be careful with sharp or pointed objects, such as knives and toothpicks. Do not play contact sports, such as football. Use a soft toothbrush. Do not floss your teeth while your platelet count is low. Blow your nose gently. Your nose may bleed if you pick it. Do not take NSAIDs or aspirin. NSAIDs and aspirin thin your blood and increase your risk for bleeding.
- Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. Alcohol can thin your blood and make it easier to bleed. Smoking increases your risk for new or returning cancer. Smoking can also delay healing after treatment. Do not use e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in place of cigarettes or to help you quit. They still contain nicotine. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke or drink and need help quitting.
- Drink liquids as directed. You may need to drink extra liquids to prevent dehydration, especially if you are vomiting or have diarrhea from cancer treatments. Ask how much liquid you need each day and which liquids are best for you.
- Exercise as directed. AML or its treatment may make you feel tired. Exercise can help you have more energy. Exercise can also help you manage your weight.
- Eat healthy foods. Healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. If you have trouble swallowing, you may be given foods that are soft or in liquid form. Ask about any extra nutrition you may need, such as nutrition shakes or vitamins. Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems eating, or if you are nauseated.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
You will need to see your oncologist for ongoing treatment. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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Symptoms and treatments
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