toggle mobile menu Menu
toggle search menu

Site Navigation

Supplemental

  • About St. Luke’s
  • Donate or Volunteer
  • Blogs
  • For Providers
  • En Español
  • Contact Us In Boise Boise
    1. Baker City
    2. Boise
    3. Buhl
    4. Caldwell
    5. Eagle
    6. Fruitland
    7. Hailey/Ketchum
    8. Jerome
    9. McCall
    10. Meridian
    11. Mountain Home
    12. Nampa
    13. New Meadows
    14. Ontario
    15. Riggins
    16. Sun Valley
    17. Twin Falls
    (208) 381-2222

Menu

Childhood Leukemia: What Is AML?

Childhood Leukemia: What Is AML?

Childhood Leukemia: What Is AML? (00:01:55)
Video Transcript

Childhood leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells.

That may sound scary, but with treatment, most kids get better.

It may help to know what to expect as you start this journey.

With acute myelogenous leukemia or A-M-L...

the body makes too many unhealthy, or sick, myeloblasts...

which are a kind of white blood cell.

They can take over the body, so that it can't make normal blood cells.

These unhealthy cells can spread to other parts of the body...

like the brain and spinal cord, skin, or gums.

They can form tumors in other parts of the body.

When AML is diagnosed, you'll get a new doctor who specializes in and has experience treating childhood leukemia.

He or she will be part of a care team that will get treatment started as soon as possible.

There are several types of AML.

Your doctor will come up with a specific treatment plan for your child's body and the type of AML.

Treatment can include chemotherapy, other medicines, radiation, or a stem cell transplant.

It can also be a combination of any of these things.

Treating this type of leukemia may take more than 6 months.

Many children respond right away...

Others need more time...

or the leukemia comes back.

Then other treatments may be needed.

Your doctor may talk to you about clinical trials.

Learning that your child has leukemia can feel like an ending.

But it's just the beginning of a journey...

one that many families have been on.

And most kids get better.

You don't have to do it alone.

Your cancer care team is there to treat your child and to support your family.

But what your child needs just as much as medical care...

is your love and hope.

Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Healthwise is a URAC accredited health web site content provider. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

© 1995-2025 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.