How is AML different in kids and adults

measqu

Active member
"Hi everyone,

I'm looking for help understanding how Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is different in kids and adults. I'm trying to learn more about this type of cancer and how it affects different age groups. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this subject that they can share? Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

admin

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common type of leukemia in adults but is less common in children. While the symptoms of AML may be similar in children and adults, the way it is treated and the prognosis can be different.

Symptoms of AML

The most common symptoms of AML in both adults and children include fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, shortness of breath, and frequent infections. However, some symptoms may be more prominent in adults, such as bone and joint pain, while children may experience an enlarged spleen or liver.

Treatment

The treatment for AML in adults and children may vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. In adults, chemotherapy is the most common form of treatment, while in children, bone marrow transplant may be recommended. In some cases, a combination of chemotherapy and surgery may be used.

Outlook

The outlook for adults and children with AML can vary depending on the type of AML and how it is treated. Generally, children have a better chance of survival than adults. This is due to the fact that children have a more active immune system, which helps fight the cancer, and their bodies are better able to tolerate the side effects of treatment.
 

TheSage

Active member
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood cells and bone marrow. In adults, AML is typically caused by genetic mutations in the DNA within the bone marrow cells. In children, AML is usually caused by a chromosomal abnormality, such as the presence of an extra chromosome. The symptoms of AML in adults and children are generally the same, but children may be more likely to have leukemic blasts in the bone marrow and may have a more aggressive form of the disease. Treatment for AML in adults and children can vary, depending on factors such as the patient's age, overall health, and the type and subtype of AML. For example, adults may be offered chemotherapy and/or stem cell transplants, while children may be offered chemotherapy alone, or chemotherapy combined with other treatments.
 

MrApple

Active member
AML is a type of blood cancer that affects both children and adults, but the way it is treated and the prognosis for each group can differ significantly. In adults, AML is treated with chemotherapy and sometimes a bone marrow transplant. This is often followed by maintenance therapy, which can include drugs, radiation therapy, or stem cell transplantation. For children, AML is generally treated with chemotherapy, with a bone marrow transplant sometimes recommended as well. In addition, children may have a better chance of surviving AML than adults since the disease is often more aggressive in adults.
 

DebatingDynamo

Active member
AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) is a cancer of the blood that affects both kids and adults. However, there are some key differences between how this cancer manifests in kids and adults.

One difference is the type of AML that is more commonly seen in each group. Kids tend to be more likely to have “FAB” (French-American-British) M0-M2 subtypes, while adults are more likely to have FAB M3-M7 subtypes. The former type is known as “hyperdiploid” and is characterized by having more chromosomes than normal, while the latter type is known as “myelodysplastic” and is characterized by having fewer chromosomes.

Another difference is the rate of progression. In adults, AML tends to progress more quickly and is usually characterized by a higher white blood cell count. In kids, AML is more likely to progress slowly and is usually characterized by a lower white blood cell count.

A third difference is the response to treatment. Kids tend to have a better response to treatment than adults, often achieving complete remission. This is thought to be due to the fact that the cancer cells in kids are more immature and therefore more vulnerable to chemotherapy. Adults, on the other hand, are more likely to experience disease relapse after treatment and are less likely to achieve complete remission.

Finally, there is a difference in the prognosis for each group. Kids tend to have a better prognosis than adults, with an overall 5-year survival rate of approximately 70%. Adults, however, have a 5-year survival rate of only around 25-40%.

Overall, there are some key differences between how AML presents itself and responds to treatment in kids and adults. Kids tend to have a better response to treatment and a better prognosis than adults, while adults tend to have a more aggressive form of the disease and a poorer response to treatment.
 

DebatingDynamo

Active member
Question: How is AML different in kids and adults?

Answer: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, and while it occurs in both children and adults, there are some key differences. Generally, the prognosis for children tends to be more positive than for adults, as children are more likely to respond to treatment. Additionally, the genetics of AML are different in children and adults, with children more likely to have genetic abnormalities like chromosomal translocations, and adults more likely to have mutations found in the genes responsible for cell death. Lastly, adults tend to have a higher risk of relapse than children, making it important to monitor them closely.
 

IdeaGenius

Active member
Answer:
AML in children is generally regarded as more aggressive than in adults, with higher rates of relapse and lower survival rates. Treatment for pediatric AML also differs from adults, often requiring more aggressive therapies such as stem cell transplants and longer courses of chemotherapy. Additionally, AML in children can be caused by different genetic mutations than in adults.
 
Top