Dr. Mizukawa is a past St. Baldrick’s Scholar. He explains acute myeloid leukemia symptoms, treatment, and research progress
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare type of blood cancer that affects children, representing about 20% of all acute leukemia cases in kids. Unlike acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which is more common in children, AML develops when cancer impacts other types of blood cells such as red blood cells, platelets, and various white blood cells. This article will help you understand what AML is, its symptoms, how it is diagnosed, treatment options, and ongoing research efforts to find better therapies.
What Is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?
Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in blood-forming tissues like the bone marrow and leads to the production of abnormal blood cells. In acute leukemia, these abnormal cells, called blasts, grow and divide rapidly but fail to mature into healthy, functioning blood cells.
There are two main subtypes of acute leukemia:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): Affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and accounts for about 80% of childhood acute leukemia cases.
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Affects other blood cells, making it less common in children, representing only 20% of cases.
Symptoms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
The rapid growth of leukemia blasts in the bone marrow leads to a deficiency of normal blood cells, causing various symptoms, including:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Pale skin (anemia)
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Frequent infections and fever
In some cases, AML may cause additional symptoms, such as:
- Bone pain
- Enlarged liver, spleen, or lymph nodes
- Swelling or bumps in the skin, gums, or around the eyes
- Neurological issues if the cancer spreads to the nervous system
Though bone pain and swollen lymph nodes are more common in ALL, AML can occasionally present with these symptoms as well.
AML blasts. Photo by Paulo Henrique Orlandi Mourao via Wikimedia Commons.
How Is AML Diagnosed?
AML is diagnosed through blood and bone marrow tests. Doctors look for leukemia blasts under a microscope and use additional tests, such as:
- Flow cytometry: Identifies specific markers on leukemia cells to determine the type of leukemia.
- Chromosome and DNA analysis: Detects genetic mutations or abnormalities, helping to identify high-risk patients who may need more aggressive treatment.
These tests are often repeated during treatment to monitor progress and ensure the therapy is effective.
Treatment Options for AML in Children
The primary treatment for AML is chemotherapy, which targets and kills leukemia cells. For high-risk cases, more intensive chemotherapy may be followed by a stem cell transplant to rebuild the immune system and restore healthy blood cells.
Because of this, managing side effects is a critical part of leukemia treatment, and most therapies are administered in a hospital to ensure close monitoring.
Dr. Mizukawa in the lab. He is working to develop new drugs to treat kids with AML.
How Research Is Improving AML Treatments
Ongoing research in AML aims to develop more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Scientists are exploring:
- Targeted therapies: Drugs designed to focus on specific genetic mutations or pathways involved in AML.
- Immunotherapy: Using immune cells or antibodies to detect and destroy leukemia cells.
- Stem cell research: Understanding how AML stem cells survive and resist treatment to develop therapies that prevent relapse.
Advanced research is also exploring ways to reprogram how genes are activated or suppressed in leukemia, as well as combining therapies for better outcomes.
Support AML Research and Help Cure Childhood Cancer
Research into acute myeloid leukemia is essential to finding better treatments and improving survival rates for children. By supporting organizations like St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you can help fund groundbreaking studies that bring hope to kids and families facing AML.
Donate now to accelerate the development of life-saving treatments and support children battling AML.
Donate
Learn about some of the Research dealing with AML:
Understanding the Cause of a Rare & Aggressive Childhood Leukemia
