Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) - children
Acute myelogenous leukemia - children; AML - children; Acute granulocytic leukemia - children; Acute myeloblastic leukemia - children; Acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) - childrenAcute myeloid leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells within the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones that generates all blood components including white blood cells. "Acute" means the cancer develops quickly and "myeloid" is the type of white cells that become cancerous.
Both adults and children can get acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This article is about AML in children.
Adults
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is cancer that starts inside bone marrow. This is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cell...
Causes
In children, AML is rare.
AML involves cells in the bone marrow that usually become white blood cells. These leukemia cells build up in the bone marrow and blood, leaving no space for healthy red and white blood cells and platelets to form. Because there are not enough healthy cells to do their jobs, children with AML are more likely to have:
Platelets
A platelet count is a lab test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets are particles in the blood that help the blood clot. ...
- Anemia (low level of red blood cells)
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...
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- Infections
Most of the time, what causes AML is unknown. In children, some things can increase the risk of developing AML:
- Exposure to alcohol or tobacco smoke before birth
- A history of certain diseases, such as aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia
Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow does not make enough blood cells. Bone marrow is the soft, tissue in the center of bones tha...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and other rare syndromes
Down syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleNeurofibromatosis
Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) is an inherited disorder in which nerve tissue tumors (neurofibromas) form in the:Upper and lower layers of the skinNerves ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Previous use of certain chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide
- Past treatment with radiation therapy
Having one or more risk factor does not mean your child will develop cancer. Most children who develop AML have no known risk factors.
Symptoms
Symptoms of AML include:
- Feeling weak or tired
- Bone or joint pain
- Frequent infections
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Fever with or without an infection
- Night sweats
- Painless lumps in the neck, armpits, stomach, groin, or other parts of the body that may be blue or purple
- Pinpoint spots (petechiae) under the skin caused by bleeding
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite and eating less food
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform the following exams and tests:
- Physical exam and health history
- Complete blood count (CBC) and other blood tests
Complete blood count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
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- Chest x-ray
- Biopsies of the bone marrow, or lymph node
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells. It is found in the hollow part of most bones. Bone marrow aspiration is th...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleLymph node
A lymph node biopsy is the removal of lymph node tissue for examination under a microscope. The lymph nodes are small glands that make white blood ce...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - A test to look for changes in the chromosomes in blood or bone marrow
Other tests may be done to determine the specific type of AML.
Treatment
Treatment for children with AML may include:
- Anticancer drugs (chemotherapy)
Chemotherapy
The term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...
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Bone marrow transplant is used if the leukemia returns after treatment or doesn't respond well to initial therapy with chemotherapy. The process uses high doses of chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy and transfusion of bone marrow from a compatible donor.
Bone marrow transplant
A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fatt...
Supportive care includes red blood cell and platelets (cells that help to stop bleeding) transfusions.
Your child's treatment team will explain the different options to you. You will want to take notes. Be sure to ask questions if you don't understand something.
Support Groups
Having a child with cancer can make you feel very alone. In a cancer support group, you can find people who are going through the same things you are. They can help you cope with your feelings. They can also help you find help or solutions for problems. Ask your health care team or staff at the cancer center to help you find a support group.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Cancer can come back at any time. But for most children, AML doesn't come back after being gone for 5 years. However, there is a wide range in outcomes for different subtypes of AML, and the disease might return.
Possible Complications
The leukemia cells can affect various organs in the body including:
- Brain
- Kidneys
- Lungs
- Skin
- Intestines
As a result of the treatment, it's common to experience:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- Mouth sores
- Need for transfusions
- Infections requiring hospitalization
- Severe organ damage (very rarely)
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider for an appointment right away if your child develops these symptoms:
- Persistent fever
- Easy bruising
- Shortness of breath
- Viral infection that doesn't resolve
- Prolonged fatigue
- Any other symptoms of AML
Prevention
Many childhood cancers can't be prevented. Most children who develop leukemia have no risk factors.
References
American Cancer Society website. What is childhood leukemia? www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-in-children/about/what-is-childhood-leukemia.html. Updated February 12, 2019. Accessed November 8, 2022.
Gruber TA, Rubnitz JE. Acute myeloid leukemia in children. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 62.
National Cancer Institute website. Childhood acute myeloid leukemia/other myeloid malignancies treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/hp/child-aml-treatment-pdq. Updated August 11, 2022. Accessed November 8, 2022.
Redner A, Kessel R. Acute myeloid leukemia. In: Fish JD, Lipton JM, Lanzkowsky P, eds. Lanzkowsky's Manual of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 19.
Review Date: 8/9/2022
Reviewed By: Stergios Zacharoulis, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatric Oncology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.