Acute Myeloid Leukemia

For families whose child has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, it can be an isolating and confusing time. They want answers, the right treatment, and support.

The pediatric cancer experts (oncologists) at UVA Health Children’s have helped families like yours. The treatment journey for a child with AML is often long and challenging. Our team has the resources to provide complete care. Including helping with your child’s emotional and psychological well-being.

AML is a serious condition. But advancements in treatment have significantly improved outcomes for children with this disease.

What Is Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

Leukemias are cancers that affect your child’s body’s ability to make blood cells. In AML, the myeloid cells are affected. These immature cells can become:

• Red blood cells
• Platelets
• White blood cells

When your body produces too many of these with AML, it disrupts normal cell production.

Symptoms of AML

Blood cancers, like AML, can cause widespread symptoms. These include:

• Fevers
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Tiny red dots (petechiae)
• Paleness
• Shortness of breath

Some symptoms are more frequently seen with AML than with other blood cancers. That’s because AML’s effect on immature cells leads to all blood cell types being affected. These symptoms include:

• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Skin infections
• Bone pain

How Is AML Diagnosed in Children?

When children come in with symptoms that Early tests that can indicate leukemia include:

• Complete blood count
• X-rays
• CT scans

If these tests indicate blood cancer, we’ll need to do a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. In this test, a sample of bone marrow is removed. Doctors look at it under a microscope to see more about your child's specific condition. This helps us pinpoint a specific treatment plan that’s right for your child.