Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): Complete Guide to Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: September 2026
Quick Answer: What Is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia?
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. It starts when DNA changes cause myeloid cells to produce too many immature white blood cells (myeloblasts) that crowd out healthy blood cells. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults, most often diagnosed at age 65 or older, and is treated in two phases: remission induction and consolidation therapy.
TL;DR
What it is: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow that worsens quickly ("acute").
The cause: DNA changes in myeloid cells make them multiply out of control, producing immature white blood cells (myeloblasts).
The effect: Myeloblasts crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to low oxygen, easy bruising, bleeding, and frequent infections.
The warning signs: Fever, fatigue, paleness, bone/back/stomach pain, easy bruising, unexplained bleeding, shortness of breath.
The diagnosis: Blood tests, a bone marrow biopsy from the hip bone, and subtype testing. AML has 15 known subtypes.
The treatment: Two phases: remission induction therapy (kill leukemia cells in blood and marrow), then consolidation therapy (kill remaining cells to prevent relapse).
AML at a Glance
What it is: A cancer of the blood and bone marrow; "acute" means it worsens quickly.
Other names: Acute myeloid leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
Who it affects: The most common type of acute leukemia in adults; less common before age 45; most common at 65 and older.
The cause: DNA changes in myeloid cells produce extra immature white blood cells (myeloblasts).
Key warning signs: Fever, fatigue, paleness, pain (bones, back, stomach), easy bruising, unexplained bleeding, frequent infections.
Staging: Unlike most cancers, AML has no numbered stages.
Diagnosis: Complete blood count, myeloblast test, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, lumbar puncture, imaging (CT, MRI, PET).
Subtypes: 15 different subtypes, identified by genetic changes. Each guides the treatment plan.
Treatment phases: Remission induction, then consolidation therapy.
Treatment options: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, bone marrow transplant, clinical trials.
What Is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia?
Acute myelogenous leukemia, also called AML, is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft matter inside bones where blood cells are made.
The name itself explains the disease:
"Acute" means the disease tends to get worse quickly.
"Myelogenous" means it affects cells called the myeloid cells, the bone marrow cells that typically develop into mature blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. The other type is acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also called ALL. Although AML can be diagnosed at any age, it is less common before age 45.
You may hear it by several other names: acute myeloid leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
One important difference from many other cancers: unlike other cancers, there are no numbered stages of acute myelogenous leukemia.
Symptoms: The Warning Signs of AML
Symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia may include:
Fever
Pain: common places include the bones, back, and stomach
Feeling very tired (fatigue)
Paleness or a change in skin color
Frequent infections
Easy bruising
Bleeding with no clear cause, such as from the nose or gums
Shortness of breath
Notice the pattern: fatigue, paleness, and shortness of breath come from low healthy red blood cells; bruising and bleeding come from low platelets; and fever and infections come from white blood cells that don't work right.
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with your healthcare professional if you have ongoing symptoms that worry you. AML symptoms resemble those of many more-common conditions, such as infections, so your doctor may check for those causes first.
Causes: How DNA Changes Turn Cells Against You
It's often not clear what causes acute myelogenous leukemia.
What healthcare professionals know is that it starts when something causes changes to the DNA inside cells in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the spongy material inside bones where blood cells are made.
These changes are thought to happen in myeloid cells, the bone marrow cells that can turn into the blood cells that circulate through the body. In a healthy body, myeloid cells become:
Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body.
Platelets, which help stop bleeding.
White blood cells, which help fight infections.
Every cell in the body contains DNA, and that DNA holds the instructions telling the cell what to do. In healthy cells, DNA gives instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate, and to die at a set time. But when DNA changes happen in the myeloid cells, they give different instructions: the myeloid cells start to make a lot of extra cells, and they don't stop.
These DNA changes cause the myeloid cells to produce many immature white blood cells, called myeloblasts. The myeloblasts don't work right. They build up in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Without enough healthy blood cells, there may be low oxygen levels in the blood, easy bruising and bleeding, and frequent infections.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase the risk of AML:
Older age. AML is most common in adults age 65 and older.
Prior cancer treatment. People who have had certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy may have a greater risk.
Radiation exposure. Very high levels of radiation, such as from a nuclear reactor accident, increase risk.
Dangerous chemical exposure. Certain chemicals, such as benzene, are linked to greater risk.
Smoking cigarettes. Cigarette smoke contains benzene and other known cancer-causing chemicals.
Other blood disorders. Prior conditions such as myelodysplasia, myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, or thrombocythemia raise risk.
Genetic disorders. Certain conditions, such as Down syndrome, are associated with increased risk.
Family history. A close blood relative (sibling, parent, or grandparent) with a blood or bone marrow disorder raises risk.
It's important to know that many people with AML have no known risk factors, and many people who have risk factors never develop the cancer.
How AML Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis often begins with a physical exam that checks for bruising, bleeding in the mouth or gums, infection, and swollen lymph nodes. Tests and exams then include:
Complete blood count (CBC): counts blood cells; may show too many or too few white blood cells, and often too few red blood cells and platelets.
Myeloblast test: looks for immature white blood cells in the blood. Myeloblasts typically aren't found in blood, but they can occur in AML.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: a needle draws bone marrow fluid and a small piece of solid tissue, typically from the hip bone; lab tests look for DNA changes in the cells.
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): a small needle in the lower back removes a sample of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, done if there's concern the leukemia has spread there.
Imaging tests: CT or MRI of the brain if spread there is a concern; a PET scan if spread to other body parts is a concern.
Your AML Subtype
If you're diagnosed with AML, further lab tests examine your blood and bone marrow for genetic changes and other signs that indicate a specific AML subtype. Currently, there are 15 different subtypes. Your subtype helps your healthcare professional determine the best treatment for you.
Treatment Options
Many types of treatment exist for AML. Treatment depends on the subtype of the disease, your age, your overall health, your prognosis, and your preferences.
Treatment usually has two phases:
Remission induction therapy. The first phase aims to kill the leukemia cells in your blood and bone marrow, but it usually doesn't destroy all of them, so further treatment is needed to keep the disease from coming back.
Consolidation therapy. Also called post-remission therapy or maintenance therapy, this phase aims to kill the remaining leukemia cells. It is crucial for lowering the risk of relapse.
The Main Treatments
Chemotherapy. The main type of remission induction therapy. These strong medicines attack cancer; most are given through a vein, and some come in pill form. People with AML usually stay in the hospital during chemotherapy because the medicines kill many healthy blood cells while destroying leukemia cells. If the first cycle doesn't cause remission, it can be repeated. Common side effects include nausea and hair loss. Serious long-term complications may include heart disease, lung damage, fertility problems, and other cancers.
Targeted therapy. These medicines attack specific chemicals in the cancer cells. By blocking those chemicals, targeted treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Your leukemia cells will be tested to see if targeted therapy may help. It may be used alone or combined with chemotherapy during induction.
Bone marrow transplant. Also called a bone marrow stem cell transplant, this treatment puts healthy bone marrow stem cells into the body to replace cells hurt by chemotherapy and other treatments. It may be used for both remission induction and consolidation. Before the transplant, you receive very high doses of chemotherapy or radiation to destroy the leukemia-producing bone marrow, then infusions of stem cells from a compatible donor (called an allogeneic transplant). There is an increased risk of infection after a transplant.
Clinical trials. Some people choose to enroll in clinical trials to try experimental treatments or new combinations of known therapies.
A Note on Alternative Medicine
No alternative treatments have been found to treat AML. However, integrative medicine may help you cope with the stress of a cancer diagnosis and the side effects of treatment. Options include acupuncture, exercise, massage, meditation, relaxation activities such as yoga, and art and music therapy.
Coping and Support
AML is a fast-growing cancer that requires quick decision-making. The sources recommend these coping strategies:
Learn enough about AML to make decisions about your care. "Leukemia" covers a group of cancers that aren't all alike except that they affect the bone marrow and blood. Ask your doctor to write down as many details as possible about your specific disease, then narrow your information search to that disease.
Lean on family, friends, and others. A support system (close people, a formal support group, or others coping with cancer) can help you cope.
Take care of yourself. Make time for cooking, watching sports, or other favorite activities. Get plenty of sleep, see friends, write in a journal, and spend time outside when you can.
Stay active. A diagnosis doesn't mean giving up the things you enjoy. If you feel well enough to do something, do it. Check with your healthcare professional before starting any exercise program.
Preparing for Your Appointment
If you have symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your healthcare professional. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in blood cell diseases, a type of doctor called a hematologist.
Appointments can be brief with a lot to discuss, so preparation helps:
Ask about pre-appointment restrictions, such as diet restrictions before testing.
Write down any symptoms, including ones that may not seem related.
Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
List all medicines, vitamins, or supplements you're taking.
Bring a family member or friend along. Appointments are hard to remember in full.
Write down your questions, ordered from most to least important.
Questions worth asking include: What is likely causing my symptoms? Will I need more tests? What are my treatment options and their side effects? Is there one treatment you believe is best for me? How will treatment affect my daily life and work? How long will treatment last? Should I seek a second opinion?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is acute myelogenous leukemia?
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. "Acute" means it tends to worsen quickly, and "myelogenous" means it affects myeloid cells, the bone marrow cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults.
What causes AML?
It often isn't clear what causes AML, but it starts when changes occur in the DNA inside bone marrow cells. These DNA changes cause myeloid cells to produce many extra immature white blood cells (myeloblasts) that don't work right, build up in the bone marrow, and crowd out healthy blood cells.
What are the symptoms of AML?
Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, paleness or skin color changes, pain in the bones, back, or stomach, frequent infections, easy bruising, bleeding with no clear cause (such as from the nose or gums), and shortness of breath. These symptoms resemble more common conditions like infections, so ongoing symptoms should always be checked by a healthcare professional.
Is AML the same as having blood cancer stages like stage 1 or 4?
No. Unlike most other cancers, acute myelogenous leukemia does not have numbered stages. Instead, your healthcare team determines your AML subtype (there are 15 currently known) through genetic testing of your blood and bone marrow, and the subtype guides your treatment plan.
How is AML treated?
Treatment usually has two phases: remission induction therapy, which aims to kill leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow, followed by consolidation therapy, which kills remaining cells to lower relapse risk. Options include chemotherapy (the main induction treatment), targeted therapy, bone marrow transplant, and clinical trials, chosen based on your subtype, age, overall health, prognosis, and preferences.
Does a bone marrow transplant cure AML?
A bone marrow (stem cell) transplant replaces bone marrow cells hurt by chemotherapy with healthy stem cells from a compatible donor (an allogeneic transplant). It can be used in both treatment phases and may replace leukemia-producing bone marrow, though it carries an increased risk of infection afterward. Your healthcare team determines if it fits your treatment plan.
Conclusion: What to Remember About AML
AML is a fast-moving diagnosis, and understanding it early, even before you ever need to, can make the hardest conversations easier. The three lessons to carry from this guide are:
Pay attention to the pattern, not just single symptoms. Fatigue, fever, bruising, and unexplained bleeding appearing together deserve a real medical evaluation. They may be something common, but they are also the signature of AML.
The disease lives in the bone marrow, not just the blood. AML starts with DNA changes in myeloid cells that produce crowds of non-functioning myeloblasts. That's why diagnosis relies on bone marrow biopsy and genetic subtype testing. There are 15 subtypes, and yours determines your treatment.
Treatment is a two-phase plan, and speed matters. Remission induction fights the bulk of the disease, then consolidation therapy clears what remains to prevent relapse. Because AML progresses quickly, leaning on your healthcare team, your loved ones, and verified information sources is part of the treatment itself.
If you're living with AML or supporting someone who is, you don't have to research it alone.
Related reading: Acute Coronary Syndrome: Complete Guide to Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have ongoing symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
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