Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Medically Speaking

Some of you have wanted to know more about Erin's diagnosis in detail. Here is what we know.

1. She was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) M7.
2. The M7 means Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. There are several types of AML. In M7, AML starts in early forms of cells that make platelets.
3. With her type of leukemia she has some chromosome abnormalities. About 60% of people with AML have chromosome abnormalities. She has a translocation between chromosomes 1 and 22. We do not know at this time if her chromosome translocation is favorable or unfavorable because it is not a commonly favorable or commonly unfavorable chromosome abnormality.
4. The bone marrow biopsy showed 80%-90% blasts in her bone marrow. These blasts displace and interfere with the production of normal red cells, white cells, and platelets in the marrow. To be in remission she will need at least 5% blasts (blasts are normally 1 to 5 percent of marrow cells).
5. Younger patients fare better than older patients.
6. Her white blood cell count was not abnormally high so that is favorable.
7. She has not had any prior blood disorders or other types of cancer so that is favorable.
8. There is a 70% - 80% success for remission.
9. Nearly 50% are relapse-free for 5 years.

Tags: "Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia" "AML" "Leukemia" "M7" "Acute Megakaryocytic Leukemia"