Treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia

Main treatments for acute myeloid leukaemia

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.