The first course of treatment for AML is typically “induction” chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells or to stop the cells from dividing. The purpose of chemotherapy is to attempt to achieve a remission of the leukemia. Remission is usually necessary before other treatments, such as bone marrow transplants, can be performed.
Induction chemotherapy is administered in the hospital and may require a hospitalization of four weeks or more. The chemotherapy treatment is usually given over a course of seven days. Because the chemotherapy will cause the patient’s blood counts to drop to very low levels, making the patient vulnerable to infections and other side effects, the patient needs intensive supportive care during the treatment. After the chemotherapy treatment has concluded, it may take three weeks or more to recover a normal blood count. An extended hospital stay is therefore usually necessary until the patient’s blood count is back to normal.
To help in the recovery process, the patient will typically receive transfusions of red blood cells and platelets to treat anemia and prevent bleeding. Antibiotics may also be administered to prevent or treat infection. The patient may also receive anti-nausea drugs and growth factors to help increase the white blood cell count.
After chemotherapy is complete and blood counts have returned to normal, you doctor will perform another bone marrow biopsy to determine whether the chemotherapy has been successful. If there are no signs of leukemia in the blood and bone marrow, and bone marrow function is normal as evidenced by the return to normal blood counts, the doctor may determine that the chemotherapy treatment has been successful and that the patient is in “complete remission.”
This Web site is sponsored by the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. Please understand that the information provided is not medical advice, but is simply offered as a resource to help you learn about acute myelogenous (myeloid) leukemia (AML) and benzene. Please discuss your health-related questions and concerns with your doctor.
Benzene can cause acute myelogenous leukemia and other blood cancers and disorders. If you have been diagnosed with AML and would like information about your legal rights, please call us at 800-946-9646 or e-mail us at
Please also visit our glossary for helpful definitions of medical terms relating to the diagnosis and treatment of AML.
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If you or a loved one has AML, NHL, MDS, or Aplastic Anemia and was exposed to benzene or other solvents or chemicals on the job, contact Baron & Budd for a free legal consulation.
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