Leukemic cells accumulate in the bone marrow, replace normal blood cells and spread to the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, central nervous system, kidneys and gonads. Incidence Approximately 500 children are diagnosed with AML in the United States each year, less common that the most prevalent form of childhood leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is diagnosed in about 2,000 children each year. AML is diagnosed in about 20 percent of children with leukemia. AML usually occurs in people older than 25, but sometimes is found in teenagers and children.
Autologous transplants use the patient s own stem cells.
Allogeneic transplants use stem cells from a donor.