Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Acute Myeloid Leukemia?
A hematologist (a doctor who treats blood disorders) or a medical oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer with medicines) usually treats acute myeloid leukemia. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is acute myeloid leukemia?
Leukemia means cancer of the blood cells. It starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of acute leukemia. Acute means it usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. In AML, the bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell). When abnormal cells crowd out healthy cells, it can lead to infection, anemia (low red blood cells), and easy bleeding.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of AML include:
- Fever.
- Shortness of breath.
- Easy bruising or bleeding.
- Petechiae, which are tiny red dots under the skin caused by bleeding.
- Weakness or feeling tired.
- Weight loss or loss of appetite.
- Bone or joint pain, if the abnormal cells build up near or inside the bones.
Causes and who gets it
AML happens when there are changes in the genetic material (DNA) in bone marrow cells. The cause of these genetic changes is unknown. A risk factor is something that affects your chance of getting a disease. Known risk factors for AML include:
- Getting older.
- Being born male. AML is slightly more common in men than in women.
- Smoking. It is the only proven lifestyle-related risk factor for AML.
- Long-term exposure to benzene, a chemical found in cigarette smoke, gasoline, and some glues, cleaning products, detergents, art supplies, and paints.
- Being treated with certain chemotherapy (cancer) drugs or radiation in the past.
- Having certain blood disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disorder with low blood cell counts and abnormal cells in the blood and bone marrow.
- Having certain genetic syndromes or a family history of AML.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor may use many tools to diagnose AML:
- A physical exam and a medical history.
- Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), a test that counts your blood cells, and a blood smear, a look at blood cells under a microscope.
- Bone marrow tests. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy both remove a small sample of bone marrow and bone for lab testing.
- Genetic tests to look for gene and chromosome changes (changes in the DNA of the cells).
Imaging tests (scans) and a lumbar puncture may be done to see whether the cancer has spread. A lumbar puncture collects and tests cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.
Treatment
The main treatment for most types of AML is chemotherapy (medicines that kill cancer cells), sometimes along with a targeted therapy drug (a medicine aimed at specific parts of cancer cells). This might be followed by a stem cell transplant, which puts healthy blood-forming cells into the body. One subtype, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), may be treated with other drugs. Surgery and radiation therapy are not major treatments for AML, but they might be useful in certain circumstances.
Treatment is usually done in two phases. The first phase kills the leukemia cells in the blood and bone marrow. This puts the leukemia into remission, which means the signs and symptoms are reduced or have gone away. The second phase, post-remission therapy, aims to prevent a relapse (the return of cancer). AML can often progress quickly if not treated, so treatment often needs to be started as soon as possible after the diagnosis is made.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor right away if you have a fever, easy bruising or bleeding, or weakness that does not go away. AML can often progress quickly if not treated. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, bleeding that will not stop, coughing up blood, sudden weakness, trouble speaking, a change in vision, or new confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Your doctor can check blood counts and watch for side effects during treatment. The doctor can also coordinate your care with a hematologist or oncologist.
Common questions
What does acute mean in acute myeloid leukemia?
Acute means that the leukemia usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. That is why treatment often needs to be started as soon as possible after the diagnosis is made.
What are the signs and symptoms of AML?
They include fever, shortness of breath, easy bruising or bleeding, tiny red dots under the skin, weakness or feeling tired, weight loss or loss of appetite, and bone or joint pain.
How is AML diagnosed?
Doctors use a physical exam, your medical history, blood tests like a complete blood count (CBC), and bone marrow tests. Genetic tests look for gene and chromosome changes.
What is the main treatment for AML?
The main treatment for most types of AML is chemotherapy, sometimes along with a targeted therapy drug. This might be followed by a stem cell transplant.
Can anything lower my risk of AML?
Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a person's age or family history, can't be changed. Smoking is the only proven lifestyle-related risk factor for AML.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- American Cancer Society - Treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- American Cancer Society - Risk Factors for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
