What is AML or Acute Myelogenous Leukemia?
Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the soft, inner part of the bones (bone marrow) but often moves quickly into the blood. It can then spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, the spleen, liver, central nervous system and other organs. In contrast, other types of cancer can start in these organs and then spread to the bone marrow (or elsewhere). Those cancers are not leukemia. Both children and adults can get leukemia. “Acute” means that the cancer develops quickly, and if not treated, could be fatal in a few months. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that starts from cells that normally develop into blood cells. Leukemia is a complex disease with many different types and sub-types. The kind of treatment given and the outlook for the person with leukemia vary greatly according to the exact type and other factors.
