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AML Subtypes
Doctors classify acute myeloid leukemia (AML) into subtypes by using various tests. It's important to know your AML subtype because it plays a large part in determining the type of treatment you'll receive.
Patty
On January 19, 2012, I lost the love of my life to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We were together for 21 years and this was not how our love story was supposed to end. Too young, too soon… still so much to do, to see, to experience – How do you go on? How do you continue life without the other half of you? How do you stop crying in the shower, before the water runs cold? How do you get dressed, put on a smile and face the world – alone? How do you believe again, when everything you believed in is gone?
Jordana
Jordana was busy being a mom, wife, and radio host when she began experiencing fatigue, hot flashes, and bruising in the fall of 2020.
“I've been feeling crappy for a few months, very fatigued. About two weeks ago I noticed some large bruising on my legs but didn't remember bumping myself,” Jordana wrote in her first journal entry on CaringBridge. “I went for some bloodwork. Tuesday night my doctor called and said I need to go to the ER as my platelets were low. They admitted me, did a bone marrow biopsy, and 12 hours later told me I had leukemia.”
Maurice
On July 15, 2018, I went to the ER after feeling sluggish and weak the day before. I was kept in the hospital and on July 17, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Leukemia changed my life. From that day, I received chemotherapy for 43 days. It took me at least eight months to achieve remission and it was and still is a very hard fight. But I refused to give up. I am now a candidate for a bone marrow transplant.
Chemotherapy and Drug Therapy
About ChemotherapyChemotherapy drugs kill fast-growing cells throughout the body, including both cancer cells and normal, healthy cells.
Chemotherapy is typically given in cycles. Each cycle is made up of a certain number of days of treatment, followed by a certain number of days of rest. The rest days allow the body time to recover before the next treatment cycle begins.
Bill
My name is Bill Bannon. I am a semi-retired child support magistrate for the Minnesota State Courts. In April 2017 I experienced shortness of breath, a sore-throat and bleeding gums. I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), was stabilized, and started on intensive chemotherapy. It was soon learned that I had a FLT-3 mutation of this cancer, the most serious and difficult to treat. The only possibility for any chance at survival was a bone marrow or umbilical stem cell transplant (BMT). I chose to continue my treatment at the University of Minnesota.
Zeke
On April 16, 2022, I brought my son Ezekiel "Zeke" to a sick appointment because of leg pain, stomach pain, and a fever over the last few days. We were sent for some additional testing (bloodwork and an X-ray of his stomach area). Later that day, we received a call from the doctor saying we needed to get Zeke back to the hospital fast because his bloodwork wasn't normal, and he had an enlarged liver and spleen. We woke up Easter morning in the hospital for the first of what would become over 100 nights at the hospital throughout his treatment.
Tak Wah Mak, Ph.D.
A Leading Scientist Studying Precision Medicine Approaches for Leukemia and Lymphoma
Dr. Tak Wah Mak is one of the world’s most cited and accomplished scientists. After earning his PhD, Mak was recruited by the Ontario Cancer Institute (now Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) in Toronto, Canada for a postdoctoral fellowship.
GiGi
When I was diagnosed in 2002 I was in such a fog, all that I can really remember is the doctor saying "You have..." I had acute myeloid leukemia and given 6 weeks to live. I just felt that could not be the end for me.
I went through the chemo, hospital stays all while trying to raise 4 small children and I made it through it all. Thank goodness, right? Fast forward to 2017 the day after my 48th birthday. I began to feel weak and extremely fatigued, without trying to "self- diagnose" myself, this feeling was all too familiar.
Aleta
I was diagnosed on August 13, 2013 with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It was totally out of the blue. I had been married for just a year at the time of my diagnosis and sadly my husband couldn't handle a wife with cancer and we divorced.
Andre
In July 1993 I was blessed with my son, Andre Christopher Jordan. He's my heart, pride and joy. Throughout his young life, Andre's has humbled me with his love, kindness, strength, loyalty and faith. Two years ago, he and his fiancé, Ana were blessed with their son. He was overjoyed with being a new father and had marriage plans in the works. He had just received a promotion at work that he had worked hard for and all was well. Then suddenly, Andre's life suddenly took a tragic turn.
Jayson
On October 29, 2023, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the age of 24. Before cancer, I moved through life without a care in the world, living each day like tomorrow was guaranteed. That all changed in an instant.
CML Phases and Prognostic Factors
CML has three phases. The phase of your chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) plays a large part in determining the type of treatment you'll receive. Doctors use diagnostic tests to determine the phase of CML. Determining the CML phase is based primarily on the number of immature white blood cells (blasts) in the patient’s blood and bone marrow.
Phases of CMLChronic Phase. Most patients are diagnosed with CML in the with chronic phase of the disease.
People with chronic phase CML:
Treatment
Parents are advised to
- Seek treatment from a hematologist/oncologist who is experienced in treating JMML, or from a hematologist/oncologist who is in consultation with a cancer center.
- Speak with their child’s doctor about the most appropriate treatment.
Without treatment, JMML progresses rapidly. There are two widely used JMML treatment protocols: stem cell transplantation and drug therapy.
Pilar
My name is Pilar, and I am 34 years old. I used to work for the workforce board of Philadelphia, working with youth, until I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) back in October 2020. It has been a hard battle, but I am positive and blessed to have the support of my family and friends. Additionally, I was very fortunate my sister, Marcela, was a match to be my donor.
Rose
My brother Hopoate is a leukemia survivor. At the young age of 2, he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and finished his chemotherapy when he was 4-1/2 years old. He has been cancer-free for about 17 years now. He is now 21 and thriving.
Anna
As many of you know, in 2015 our daughter Anna was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She had a very successful treatment, and God answered my wife and my prayers. As of March 2023, Anna has been cancer-free for five years making her a cancer survivor. On October 21, Aimie, Anna, and I will participate in the Light The Night (LTN) walk for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Funds raised through LTN allow LLS to fund treatments for patients who have blood cancer. As you can imagine, this cause is very special to Aimie and me.
Wendell
Wendell Ison was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) on June 6, 2006. It was through his own battle that he decided to create the team known as "Wendell's Warriors" as a way to give back and make a difference in people's lives by raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Deana
In May 2008 at nine years-old, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I went from being told I had a 10 day stomach virus to being told I had leukemia. The doctors said told I didn't come in when I did, I could of lost my life.
A year went by, and I was stuck in the hospital missing out on family and important events. I even had my tenth birthday in the hospital, but I was too sick to enjoy it.
Joey
Joey Renick is a three-time acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor. He was first diagnosed at the age of 3, then 18, and again at 22. Joey has received years of chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Since receiving his bone marrow transplant in June 2016, Joey has married his wife Caylee, completed nursing school, began and continues to work as a bone marrow transplant nurse, and will be a dad soon.
Sydney
My grandfather, Michael, passed away from leukemia in 1991. While I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I have always considered him to be my guardian angel. My grandmother and best friend, Patrice, has been a loyal advocate, supporter, and donor to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) ever since his passing. Additionally, she served as vice president for two years and president of LLS for four years. We love how committed LLS is to the research and care of those with blood cancer.
Geoff
I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on April 13, 1995, at Arlington Hospital (now VHC Health) and was hospitalized there for 32 days for chemotherapy. I received a second round of chemotherapy (high-dose) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital a few weeks later. Afterward, I received an autologous stem cell transplant at Sloan Kettering. I was discharged on August 13, 1995, and readmitted in late August for two days for an infection. I have been cancer-free since then.
Clinical Trials
Taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice for some Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Clinical trials are under way to develop treatments that increase the remission rate or cure the disease. Today's standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continues to invest funds in HL research.
Click here to read more about clinical trials.
AML Subtype
Determining the AML subtype is an important factor in treatment planning for your child. This determination is made based on certain features of the leukemia cells identified with the diagnostic tests. The doctor will speak with you about the drugs and “treatment protocols” (detailed plans of treatments and procedures) that are indicated based on your child’s AML subtype.