Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that affects both adults and children, although it is more common in adults. The median age of diagnosis for AML is 66, although it can occur in people of all ages, including children and adolescents.
In children, AML is the most common form of leukemia and accounts for 25-30% of all childhood leukemia cases. While the overall incidence is low, AML is responsible for the majority of deaths due to childhood leukemia, with a five-year survival rate of about 50%. Symptoms tend to be more severe in children than in adults, and the disease progresses more quickly.
In adults, AML is the second most common form of leukemia, accounting for 25% of all adult leukemia cases. The median age of diagnosis is 66, but the disease can occur in adults of any age. The prognosis for adult AML is generally poorer than for childhood AML, with a five-year survival rate of around 25%.
Overall, AML can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in adults over the age of 65. Symptoms tend to be more severe in children than in adults, and the disease progresses more quickly in children.