The bone marrow controls the production of normal cells. In leukemia, the production process breaks down and the bone marrow starts producing large numbers of abnormal cells of only one cell type, usually one of the white cells. These abnormal, immature cells, called blasts, then flood the blood stream and lymph system, and may invade vital organs such as the brain, testes, ovaries, or skin. In rare cases, AML tumor cells appear as a solid tumor called an isolated granulocytic sarcoma or chloroma. Acute myeloid leukemia can occur in both children and adults.
Treatment is different for adults than it is for children.
Early signs of AML may be fever, chills, bleeding or bruising easily, swollen lymph nodes, and other symptoms similar to those of the flu, such as feeling weak or tired all the time and aching bones or joints. If your child has symptoms of leukemia, his or her doctor may order a blood test to count the number of cells and examine them under a microscope. If the results of the blood tests are not normal, a bone marrow biopsy may be performed. During this test, a needle is inserted into a bone in the hip and a small amount of bone marrow is removed and examined under a microscope, enabling the doctor to determine what kind of leukemia your child has and plan the best treatment. Chromosomal analysis may also be performed.