Understanding Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

AML Explained

There is a soft inner part within our larger bones known as bone marrow. When it works correctly, bone marrow functions like an efficient blood factory—producing healthy red and white blood cells, and platelets.²

However, in people with leukaemia, this blood factory malfunctions. Instead of producing a healthy balance of cells, it makes too many faulty white blood cells that become cancerous and abnormal.¹ These are also known as ‘leukaemic blasts’.³

Without treatment, this malfunctioning blood factory continues to produce these abnormal white blood cells, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms.⁴ The aim of treatment is to slow the production of abnormal white blood cells until they are no longer a concern to doctors.¹

Need support understanding specific AML words and phrases? Our Terminology Explained document helps to break down some of the most common terms and phrases.