AML, also known as acute myeloid leukemia, is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This type of cancer arises from cells that would normally turn into white blood cells and typically occurs in patients around age 65. AML can be treated using a variety of approaches, depending on the type of cancer.
Subtypes
The way AML is treated often depends on the particular subtype that the patient has, the American Cancer Society says. There are eight different kinds of AML based on the kind of cell that formed the cancer. Different AML varieties have different prognoses, so the treatment can be more intensive for more aggressive subtypes. Other factors that can affect the treatment include the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the cancerous cells, age and the patient's overall health.
Treatment Stages
There are two distinct phases for AML treatment, according to the National Cancer Society. In remission induction therapy, the treatment aims to kill as much of the leukemia cells in the bone marrow and blood as possible. This treatment then puts the cancer into remission. Because it's difficult to eliminate all of the cancer cells, however, the second phase, called post-remission therapy is often necessary. This treatment works to keep the cancer from coming back and is often known as remission-continuation therapy.
Treatment Options
Chemotherapy is one common treatment used for treating AML, the Mayo Clinic says. It utilizes drugs that poison the cancerous cells in the bone marrow. Other treatment options include biologic therapy, which involves the use of special antibodies that target the AML cells. One example of biologic therapy includes gemtuzumab ozogamicin, which delivers toxic compounds directly to the cancerous cells. Another treatment approach involves completely eradicating the cells in the bone marrow with high doses of radiation or chemotherapy, which eliminates all of the cancer cells. The bone marrow can then be replaced with a bone marrow transplant.
Treatment Side Effects
Because AMl is a cancer of the bone marrow, the treatments for this kind of cancer target cells within the bone marrow. This can result in low levels of red and white blood cells as well as platelets. As a result, patients being treated for AML may become anemic and also have problems with blood clotting. Because white blood cells are needed to help the body fight off infections, the Mayo Clinic says many patients must be hospitalized for a few weeks after treatment to avoid life-threatening infections and other medical problems.
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Acute promyelocytic leukemia, the American Cancer Society says, is a particular form of AML that has its own unique treatment. Patients with this AML subtype are usually treated with a combination of all-trans retinoic acid and a chemotherapy drug, such as daunorubicin or idarubicin. This treatment approach induces remission in patients 80 percent to 90 percent of the time. If the treatment is successful in putting the patient's cancer into remission, the patient is then given post-remission care.
