Animations

This animation provides an overview of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a blood and bone marrow cancer that happens to persons who have too many abnormal cells called myeloblasts. It describes the causes, risk factors, and symptoms of AML, as well as the subtype of AML called acute promyelocytic leukemia (commonly referred to as APL or APML).

This animation provides an overview of acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) and treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (tAML). It also describes the causes, risk factors, and symptoms of AML-MRC and tAML. Both AML-MRC and tAML are “secondary” types of AML because they occur after a person has had MDS or another type of cancer. AML that starts abruptly with no known prior exposure to chemotherapy or radiation and no prior cancer diagnosis is called “de novo” AML and is discussed in another segment in this series.

This animation explains erythropoiesis, which is the term for the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells, called erythrocytes, carry oxygen around your body. This animation explains the erythrocyte life cycle and describes how a low red blood cell count causes anemia. Anemia typically results from bleeding, red blood cell destruction, or decreased red blood cell production by the bone marrow, as seen in disorders such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The animation describes treatments for a low red blood cell count, including medications, blood transfusions, and stem cell transplant.

This animation explains the tests that doctors use to diagnose acute myeloid leukemia (AML), AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) and treatment-related AML (tAML). It describes the examination, blood tests, bone marrow tests, genetic tests, imaging tests, and other diagnostic interventions. These tests may be ordered to help identify what subtype of AML a person has and whether it has spread outside of the blood and bone marrow.

This animation explains the current treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It also explains key terms used in AML treatment such as complete remission, measurable residual disease (MRD), hematologic recovery, cytogenetic response, and molecular response. Treatment options are described, such as induction chemotherapy, consolidation chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, and targeted therapy. It’s important to discuss all treatment options with your doctor or cancer care team, so you can make the best decisions that are right for you.

This animation provides an overview of treatment failure and relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Treatment failure occurs when your AML treatment is not successful in eliminating all the leukemia from your bone marrow after initial therapy (induction chemotherapy). It could also mean that the leukemia came back (relapsed) after being well controlled after chemotherapy and entering a state known as remission. You can learn about how often AML relapse occurs, who is at risk, why complete remission is less common in older adults, as well as cytogenetics and AML treatment failure.

This animation provides an overview of maintenance and continuous treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Maintenance therapy is additional chemotherapy after induction and consolidation therapy has led to remission. It may help prevent relapse or prolong the remission and help people live longer. You can learn about the three common phases of AML treatment (induction, consolidation, and maintenance) as well as treatment options that are currently available. Depending on your AML and general health, some therapies may help keep your AML stable and prolong your survival even if you still have AML, provided you still have some healthy bone marrow cells. It's important to discuss all treatment options with your doctor or cancer care team, so you can make the best decisions that are right for you.