Acute Myeloid Leukemia
April 19, 2024
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Guido Marcucci, M.D., Chair, Department of Hematologic Malignancies Translational Science, City of Hope Duarte
Adult acute myeloid leukemia is a type of blood cancer that develops in white blood cells called myeloid cells. This form of leukemia may also be referred to as acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.
AML accounts for about 1% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States, with approximately 62,770 new cases expected to be diagnosed in 2024. Acute myeloid leukemia most often affects people over the age of 45, although it may also affect children.
An accurate diagnosis is crucial to optimal leukemia treatment planning and outcomes. This is especially important for acute myeloid leukemia because this disease has numerous subtypes and factors that can determine specific courses of treatment. If an AML diagnosis is suspected, the care team will perform testing that may include lab tests, bone marrow biopsy and/or imaging tests. After evaluating the results, the care team will discuss the diagnosis and subtype or stage of acute myeloid leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia treatment plans are personalized to each patient's AML stage, along with his or her goals and preferences. AML treatment options may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, radiation therapy and/or a stem cell transplant.
Leukemia Patient Stories
City of Hope is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and has been repeatedly named a top hospital for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Our doctors help develop and improve evidence-based acute myeloid leukemia treatment guidelines for patients throughout the country.
Our AML Program Highlights
- Leading-edge clinical trials for AML not available elsewhere, including T cell immunotherapy, mutation-specific AML drugs and novel stem cell transplant regimens
- Total marrow irradiation that targets radiation therapy to bone marrow, where AML originates, while reducing exposure to healthy tissues and organs
- Long-term follow-up program to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve quality of life for AML survivors
- Comprehensive genetic and molecular profiling of each patient's cancer to identify treatments that will produce the best outcomes
- A multidisciplinary team of specialists — including hematologists, medical and radiation oncologists, supportive care experts, and other professionals — who work together to provide coordinated, personalized care for you and your loved ones
- A world-class bone marrow and stem cell transplant program with better-than-expected survival outcomes for over a decade
City of Hope is one of the few facilities designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, bone marrow transplants and CAR T cell therapy are recognized internationally.
Our leadership in research and innovation continually enhances our ability to provide novel and differentiated approaches to cancer care.
Vaibhav Agrawal, M.D., M.B.A., is a hematologist-oncologist in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope.
Monzr M. Al Malki, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology at City of Hope.
Ibrahim T. Aldoss, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist and board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. His clinical expertise is in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.
Haris Ali, M.D., is an hematologist-oncologist and associate professor in the department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
Idoroenyi Amanam, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope.
Ahmed Aribi, M.D., is a hematologist and assistant professor in the Division of Leukemia, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
Pediatric hematologist-oncologist Saro Armenian, D.O., M.P.H., is the Barron Hilton Chair in Pediatrics, with expertise in pediatric cancer, epidemiology and cancer survivorship.
Shukaib Arslan, M.D., is a hematologist and oncologist at City of Hope.
Andrew Artz, M.D., M.S., is a professor at City of Hope’s Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute.
Brian Ball, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope.
Pamela Becker, M.D., Ph.D., is a highly respected clinician with expertise in acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, bone marrow failure & other diseases of the blood & immune system.
Peter Curtin, M.D., is a professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope.
Stephen J. Forman, M.D., hematologist-oncologist, is a top cancer doctor for leukemia, lymphoma & bone marrow transplantation. He is also the director of the Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute & director of the T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory at City of Hope, Duarte, California.
Karl Gaal, M.D., is a hematopathologist and surgical pathologist. His clinical expertise is in acute myeloid leukemia.
Paul Koller, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
Guido Marcucci, M.D., is professor and chair of the Department of Hematological Malignancies Translational Science and chief of the Division of Leukemia.
Ryotaro Nakamura, M.D., is the Jan & Mace Siegel Professor in Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation professor and a hematologist/oncologist at City of Hope.
Salman Otoukesh, M.D., hematologist-oncologist, is an assistant professor, division of leukemia, in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
Hoda Pourhassan, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope.
Vinod Pullarkat, M.D., is a hematologist/oncologist in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
Amandeep Salhotra, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist and Associate Professor in the Division of Leukemia, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
Karamjeet Sandhu, M.D., is a hematologist oncologist at City of Hope Cancer Center near Los Angeles, CA.
Eileen P. Smith, M.D., chair of the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, leads City of Hope with her expertise in hematology and oncology.
Anthony Stein, M.D., is a hematologist-oncologist who specializes in treating and researching acute myeloid leukemia.
Leo David Wang, M.D., Ph.D., is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and associate professor in the departments of Immuno-Oncology and Pediatrics.
Jeffrey Wong, M.D., is renowned for his efforts in targeted therapy using image-guided/intensity modulated radiotherapy, recently applying this approach to bone marrow transplantation.