Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Question: How long can a person live with Acute Myeloid Leukemia when it is left untreated and treated. (cont below)? I would like to have a round-about answer. Thanks for your answers. Thanks for taking the time to read and answer this. :]

Answer: Average survival without treatment ranges from weeks to few months. With treatment, for either AML or ALL, cure is possible (though altogether too uncommon), so a person could live a "normal" life span. Going through treatment is rigorous, no doubt, and can be fatal. Unfortunately, most patients with adult AML who enter remission will relapse within 2 years. Blessings

Question: what is the survival rate of acute myeloid leukemia? can u plz suggest some sites that offer help regarding treatment? what is the approximate cost of treatment for AML in India? Hope some doctors in India can answer this. thanks.

Answer: Cancer of any kind is dangerous - there is no such thing as a good cancer. Leukemia takes lives of children and adults every day but at the same time, there are many survivors that are in remission and doing very well. How well a patient does depends on so many different factors including age, cell counts, what type and subtype of leukemia he or she has, the will to fight, and so many other factors. My son E was diagnosed with a Wilms' Tumour as a newborn, won his battle, and was recently diagnosed with Secondary Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). His cancer is most likely a secondary cancer caused by the chemotherapy his first time when he fought Wilms. E somehow passed his screenings he has every 3 months back in October but in the end of November we started to notice he wasn't quite himself, and he was diagnosed December 19th. There are lots of symptoms of leukemia but each individual is different. Some display some symptoms while others display other ones. E had a cold in November that he just couldn't kick. We took him to the doctor and he was given an antibiotic. He got a little better but as soon as he finished the antibiotic he got sick again. He usually has a couple bruises here and there since he is a 2 year old. His walking was greatly affected from one of the drugs in his first chemo cocktail so he trips and falls pretty often. But the bruising he had was more than usual - he bruised at the slightest bump. That's when we really knew something was wrong and took him to the doctor again. Once he was diagnosed we found out that his spleen and liver were enlarged - also symptoms of leukemia. Due to the extent of enlargement of his spleen, he had it removed after a round of chemotherapy. So far he has had 3 strong doses of chemo, a round of consolidation chemo, he's on his 2nd round of consolidation chemo and he's labeled as being in remission! He still has 3-5 rounds of consolidation chemo left just to make sure all of the cancerous cells are gone then a bone marrow transplant down the road when a donor becomes available. A leukemia diagnosis is absolutely not a death sentence. It's treatable but you have to keep in mind that it does take lives. I know many children and adults that have gone on to live completely normal lives after getting their No Evidence of Disease (NED) status. Sometimes a patient does relapse but it is absolutely possible that he or she can reach remission and eventually NED status. AML has an overall long-term survival rate of 21.3%. Because children (under 15) typically do better, their long-term survival rate is around 55.2%. Between the different subtypes there are different survival rates. Again, every cause is different, every patient is different. The treatment given also has an impact on the survival of the patient - some cases respond to treatment better than others. Certain factors also impact the survival rate. There are some genetic mutations that increase the likelihood of survival and some genetic mutations that greatly decrease the likelihood of survival. Previous chemotherapy and radiation or previous battles with cancer generally lead to a smaller percentage of survivals compared to a first-time diagnosis. We live in Canada so I can't estimate the costs of treatment in India. I hope this helped you out some. If you have any more questions feel free to email me (crazycanuckj@yahoo.ca) or IM me (crazycanuckj).

Question: can you have a baby if you have acute myeloid leukemia? Will it be a high risk pregnancy or would the baby not be affected?

Answer: You mean pregnant with AML now? If so, then if less than 12 weeks, usually if patient does not terminate pregnancy there would be a very high risk of defects or more likely early spontaneous abortion due to toxicity of chemotherapy to fetus. If after 12 weeks, then chance for defects much lower if chemo given, but risk for complications remains higher than average (prematurity, low weight, miscarriage). If you had AML previously, then your child overwhelmingly likely will be fine. There are very rare AML hereditary syndromes, but these are extremely rare. Biggest trouble can be just getting pregnant in the first place for patients. God bless, best wishes

Question: Why is World Health organization interested in classifying Acute Myeloid Leukemia ?

Answer: Because different types of Acute Myeloid Leukemia have different symptoms, treatment and prognosis. "The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) incorporates and interrelates morphology, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and immunologic markers in an attempt to construct a classification that is universally applicable and prognostically valid.["

Question: Does anyone have any experience with Acute Myeloid Leukemia? I sort of understand what it is, but not the treatment part of it. My cousin will be getting chemo for 10 days...but that's all I know...? Do you know anything else done for it? Bone Marrow transplant, etc?

Answer: well i don't know a lot, but my friend had leukemia and he had to get a bone marrow transplant and was on chemo forever. that's all i can say.

Question: Are some groups more susceptible to Acute Myeloid Leukemia or do some groups experience this disease different? I really need help!!! it's for my science project!! looked eveywhere

Answer: There is some geographic variation in the incidence of AML. In adults, the highest rates are seen in North America, Europe, and Oceania, while adult AML is rarer in Asia and Latin America. In contrast, childhood AML is less common in North America and India than in other parts of Asia. These differences may be due to population genetics, environmental factors, or a combination of the two. The incidence of AML increases with age; the median age at diagnosis is 63 years. AML accounts for about 90% of all acute leukemias in adults, but is rare in children. The rate of therapy-related AML (that is, AML caused by previous chemotherapy) is rising; therapy-related disease currently accounts for about 10–20% of all cases of AML. AML is slightly more common in men, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1. A hereditary risk for AML appears to exist. There are numerous reports of multiple cases of AML developing in a family at a rate higher than predicted by chance alone. The risk of developing AML is increased threefold in first-degree relatives of patients with AML. Several congenital conditions may increase the risk of leukemia; the most common is probably Down syndrome, which is associated with a 10- to 18-fold increase in the risk of AML.

Question: Is Acute Myeloid Leukemia a harmful disease? I really need help!!! it's for my science project i looked everywhere!!!!!

Answer: Of course. This is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow. Here is more info: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000542.htm

Question: Has anyone heard of getting Acute Myeloid Leukemia due to using certain chemicals such as Benzene? My father was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia back in April 2006. As of today my Dad is in remission. Per my dads docter after asking general health questions on finding out where this Leukemia came from, he asked my Dad did he ever work around certain chemicals which are considered carcinogenic(cancer-causing agents). The doctor read a list off to my dad where Dad then spoke up when the name "Benzene" came up. Back in the late 1970s and 1980s by Dad used this chemical at the box companies he worked for in Chicago to clean dye off of the printing press machines. Thanks for responding midnightmoon62, Sorry you have AML also. My dad has never smoked a cigeratte in his life. My dad has told me how he used this Benzene to clean the dye off of the press machines. He remembers how he would get so sick sometimes after he would get home and his company would prescribe ibuprofen. Who should be held liable for this??

Answer: Yes, benzene is definatly a cause. I am aml, and more than likely the benzene in commercail cigs is what got me. Most benzene exposure comes from things like working in chemical plants, petro refineries/with gas, commercial cigerettes. He would have to prove that is what caused his cancer though. If he has ever been around it anywhere else, or if he smokes/smoked/indoors with second hand smoke, legally or civilally there would be nothing he could do. But, even if he cant do something like that, I still would research it. THe other chemicals he worked with, just how much he was exposed to. In a way its really kinda cool to go back and look at the process and determine a theory as to where the cancer came from. For some people, it can be very liberating, because even if they did cause it them selves (smoking for example) its such a relief to just KNOW rather than always wondering.

Question: need a real doctor to help with a note for my Acute Myeloid Leukemia. ? to make a long story short I was diganosed just by blood test, with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, I do not have insurance and need to get a note for a huge refund at school because I am going to have to stop taking classes. My doctor will not give me any documentation because I owe them a large amount of money, they are just being jerks. Does anyone know a real doctor that will write me a legit note stating about Acute Myeloid Leukemia. If anyone knows of anyone that could help me out I would appreciate it.

Answer: very interesting question....remember this: "Everyone has a boss" & if someone at your immediate school will not comply with this as a Doctor's note is paramount...even yo0ur Doctor has a boss.....the Medical Board! Illness is one thing that WIll aid you in getting your monies back....no matter how much you owe! I have been in a similar situation wherein my funding ran out for the Doctor and then I not only couldn't be seen by his particular clinic but couldn't then work as well.....it appeared that I didn't want to do anything...trust me I got it taken care of! Remember that even a boss has a boss....and there will ALWAYS be someone to help you in the way or ways that you need it....go to your nearest hospital for a patient Liaison rep...they are Wonderful and that will indeed be at the very least a start!!! My prayers are with you in this...get better soon!!! Garbo

Question: which hospital east of the Mississippi is best for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia?

Answer: Hi, It really depends on a lot of different factors including: 1) Pediatric or Adult? 2) Just diagnosed or relapsed? 3) What subtype? If you could provide some additional info I might be able to help you. Take care. -- Todd P.S. My daughter had both of her Cord Blood Transplants at Duke and we were extremely happy with the Bone Marrow/Cord Blood Transplant department, but really wouldn't recommend the pediatric Hematology-Oncology department there.

Question: What is the difference between acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia? Does AML start in premature blood cells and ALL start in mature blood cells?

Answer: Some immature blood cells (lymphoblasts) do normally mature into lymphocytes while other immature blood cells (myeoloblasts) normally mature into various types of "granulocytes" and monocytes. When the lymphoblasts become malignant it results in acute lymphocytic (same as lymphoblastc) leukemia. When the myeloblasts become malignant it results in acute myelocytic (same as myeloblastic) leukemia.

Question: What's the usual treatment for pediatric AML (Acute myeloid leukemia)?

Answer: My 2 1/2 year old son E was diagnosed with a Wilms' Tumour as a newborn, won his battle, and was recently diagnosed with Secondary Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). His cancer is most likely a secondary cancer caused by the chemotherapy his first time when he fought Wilms. E somehow passed his screenings he has every 3 months back in October but in the end of November we started to notice he wasn't quite himself, and he was diagnosed December 19th. Treatment varies depending on the subtype of AML present in the child. Treatment is individualized to the patient. Typically, it consists of an induction chemotherapy (1-3 rounds), and when remission is achieved consolidation chemo is given. Treatment is individualized to the subtype of AML. Consolidation chemo is typically 3 rounds of a high dose of ara-C. I don't know how consolidation chemo goes for other patients but my son's protocol involves 7 days in-patient chemo and 21 days to recover. He had 3 rounds of induction chemo (2 failed rounds and finally a successful 3rd attempt) and he had 3 rounds of consolidation chemo. His chemo was supposed to be finishing up in September but he was put back on an intense chemo this past round due to a new tumour unrelated to the leukemia so depending on what it is we're not sure if he'll be able to finish chemo in September but we hope he can. There are often delays due to low counts or infection. Delays are to be expected and thankfully E has only had his chemo delayed once due to low counts. He receives other medications before, during, and after chemo doses in order to combat the side effects. He usually takes Zofran (has also taken Ativan or Kytril but most often Zofran) to help with the nausea and vomiting caused by several of the drugs in his chemo cocktail. He also takes various pain killers to help with the bone pain he experiences. After consolidation chemo he will most likely have a bone marrow biopsy to look for a complete remission. Hopefully then he'll receive his NED status (no evidence of disease). If this is a relapse for him he may have a bone marrow or stem cell transplant which involves a high dose of chemo and an iv infusion of donor bone marrow or stem cells and about a month in the hospital recovering. My son is on the transplant list waiting for a matching donor since none of my other children were good enough matches. If you have any other questions or anything feel free to IM me (crazycanuck) or send me an email (crazycanuckj@yahoo.ca).

Question: Does Acute Myeloid Leukemia effect you long term? please help as soon as possible!!!!!!!!!!! i looked everywhere!! plzz plzz help me answer this

Answer: YES...The side effects of the treatment for AML and ALL last a life time...but thanks to people like Lance Armstrong people/children will get more and more long-term follow up care...to manage and treat their long-term side effects. Hope this helps...Some long term effects include..Chronic pain...nerve damage...the list goes on..and is worse when you through radiation into the picture...which I believe most AML warriors do have to have... xoxoxox stephy

Question: what is the prognosis for 65 year old with acute myeloid leukemia?

Answer: Not very good I'm afraid. Chemotherapy does help to delay the progress somewhat but unfortunately surgery is not possible as this cancer invades the blood.

Question: pls explain to me what is acute myeloid leukemia is all about... and medications to it

Answer: Angelo, About 12,000 Americans learn they have acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) each year. People can get AML at any age. The chance of getting AML increases with age. About 1 in 5 children with acute leukemia has AML. For specific questions, you can freely contact an Information Specialist at The Leukemia& Lymphoma Society at www.LLS.org or (800) 955-4572. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’sfree booklet, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, gives more details on this disease and its treatment. Leukemia is a type of cancer. There are 4 main types of leukemia. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is 1 of the 4 types. With AML, the leukemic cells are often referred to as blast cells. AML starts with a change to a single cell in the bone marrow. Marrow is the spongy center inside the bones. In most cases doctors do not know what causes a healthy cell to change to an AML cell. You cannot catch AML from someone else. There are different types of AML. These are called subtypes. Doctors look at the AML cells in a patient’s marrow or blood to identify the patient’s subtype of AML. Treatment for AML depends on the patient’s subtype of AML. Some changes that a person with AML may have are • Tiredness or no energy • Shortness of breath during physical activity • Pale skin • Swollen gums • Slow healing of cuts • Pinhead-size red spots under the skin • Prolonged bleeding from minor cuts • Mild fever • Black-and-blue marks (bruises) with no clear cause • Aches in bones or knees, hips or shoulder. Induction therapy is the term for the first part of treatment with chemotherapy. Induction therapy is done in the hospital. Patients are often in the hospital for 3 to 4 weeks. Some patients may need to be in the hospital longer. Some patients with AML can be cured. Children with AML and patients with a type of AML called acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) are among those most often cured.

Question: My sister just found out a week ago that she has Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She is 55, diabetic and has? weight issues. I have explored it on the internet. Cannot find info on the survival rate. Can anyone help me on that?

Answer: Because more than half of the patients who are newly diagnosed with AML are over 60, and more than a third are over 70, there is little written on the morbidity rates. To be diagnosed at age 55, while not extremely unusual is still young. A friend of mine recently passed away after a 5 year fight with AML. While I cannot give you exact figures, nor where to find them, I was told that there was about a 50 percent 5 year morbidity rate. Either way, cherish your time with your sister, and enjoy life to its fullest! We all are on this Earth for too short of time.