Leukaemia, acute myeloid

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Overview

What is acute myeloid leukaemia?

  • Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
  • It usually develops quickly and needs to be treated straight away.
  • Acute myeloid leukaemia can be diagnosed at any age, but the risk of getting it increases with age.
  • How serious it is depends on the type of acute myeloid leukaemia you have, your age and your general health.

Symptoms

Symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are not always obvious at first and can be similar to other conditions.

They usually appear quite quickly over a few weeks.

The main symptoms include:

  • feeling very tired or weak
  • looking more pale than usual – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or the inside of the eyelids
  • shortness of breath
  • bleeding or bruising easily or for no reason
  • getting ill a lot or taking longer than usual to recover from illnesses
  • a high temperature
  • pain in the bones or joints
  • a swollen tummy – your tummy may feel painful, uncomfortable or full
  • swollen glands – usually in the neck, armpits and the top of your inner thigh (groin)

Acute myeloid leukaemia can be diagnosed at any age, but it is more common in older people.

When and where to get medical help

If you have symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia, it's important to get them checked by a GP.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 Wales if:

  • you have symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia

You can call 111 or get help from 111 Wales online.

Important

These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions.

Having them does not definitely mean you have acute myeloid leukaemia. But it's important to get them checked by a GP.

This is because if they're caused by cancer, finding it early means treatment is more likely to be successful.

What happens at the GP appointment

The GP will usually arrange for an urgent blood test if they think there's a chance you could have acute myeloid leukaemia.

They may also check your blood pressure and temperature.

They may refer you for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital.

Sometimes you might have to go to hospital straight away. This does not mean you definitely have cancer.

Who can get it

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is rare, but anyone can get it.

It's not always clear what causes it.

You might be more likely to get it if:

  • you're aged 60 or older – your risk of getting it increases as you age
  • you have a genetic condition such as Down's syndrome
  • you have another kind of blood disorder such as chronic myeloid leukaemia
  • you have an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis
  • you've had chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the past, especially when you were a child
  • you've been regularly exposed to high levels of a chemical called benzene – this is more likely in some industries, such as oil refineries
  • you smoke

It's important to get any symptoms of acute myeloid leukaemia checked by a GP.

Tests and next steps

If the GP refers you to a specialist, you'll need some tests to check for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Tests may include:

  • blood tests
  • taking a small sample from the bone marrow using a needle (biopsy)

If you have a bone marrow biopsy, you'll usually have a local anaesthetic, and you may be given medicine to help you relax (sedation).

Getting your results

You may get the results of a blood test for leukaemia within a few days, but it can take a few weeks to get the results of other tests.

Try not to worry if your results are taking a long time to get to you. It does not definitely mean anything is wrong.

You can call the hospital or GP if you are worried. They should be able to update you.

A specialist will explain what the results mean and what will happen next.

If you're told you have acute myeloid leukaemia

Being told you have acute myeloid leukaemia can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen next.

A group of specialists will look after you throughout the diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

The team will include a clinical nurse specialist who will be your main point of contact during and after treatment.

You can ask them any questions you have.

  • Macmillan Cancer Support has a free helpline that's open every day from 8am to 8pm. They're there to listen if you have anything you want to talk about. Call 0808 808 0000.

Next steps

If you've been told you have acute myeloid leukaemia, more tests are usually needed.

Tests may include:

You may not have all of these tests.

The specialists will use the results of these tests and work with you to decide on the best treatment plan.

Treatment

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is often treatable.

Treatment usually needs to start quickly.

The treatment you have will depend on the type of acute myeloid leukaemia you have, your age and your general health.

There are two main types:

  • treatment which aims to cure your leukaemia (intensive treatment) – this is usually done in hospital
  • treatment which aims to control your leukaemia for as long as possible (non-intensive treatment) – this is usually done at home and has fewer side effects

Both types of treatment involve chemotherapy and sometimes targeted medicines. Intensive treatment may also include radiotherapy and a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

You'll also be offered treatments to prevent and manage symptoms (called supportive treatments).

During treatment, the specialist care team looking after you will:

  • explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
  • work with you to create a treatment plan
  • help manage any side effects

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you're worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

It's the main treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia.

You usually have a combination of chemotherapy medicines.

Targeted medicines

Targeted medicines kill cancer cells or stop them growing as quickly.

You might have targeted medicines as part of intensive or non-intensive treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia.

You might also have targeted medicines if your cancer has come back, or if other treatments aren’t working.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells.

You may have radiotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia:

  • before having a stem cell or bone marrow transplant
  • if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body

Stem cell or bone marrow transplant

A stem cell or bone marrow transplant replaces damaged blood cells with healthy ones.

You may have a stem cell or bone marrow transplant if:

  • your cancer has come back
  • your cancer is likely to come back
  • other treatments are not working

Supportive treatments

You may need to have treatment to prevent or control symptoms caused by acute myeloid leukaemia or side effects of your treatment.

This may include:

  • medicines such as antibiotics to prevent or treat infections
  • blood transfusions
  • medicines called growth factors to help the bone marrow make blood cells
  • treatment to remove high numbers of leukaemia cells

What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured

Sometimes acute myeloid leukaemia might be very hard to treat, and it may not be possible to cure the cancer.

If this is the case, the aim of treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms and help you live longer.

Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You will be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.

They will work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.



The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by NHS UK NHS website nhs.uk
Last Updated: 22/09/2026 09:48:19