How Long Will I Live with Acute Myeloid Leukemia? - HealthTree for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex disease with a variable prognosis. The life expectancy for someone with AML can depend on many factors, including the patient's age, overall health, the subtype of AML, and the specific genetic mutations present in the leukemia cells. It's important to note that while statistics can provide a general idea about most people's experiences, they can't predict any individual's specific outcome.

What do Statistics Say About the Life Expectancy for Someone with Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

A 5-year survival rate is a statistic used in cancer research to describe the percentage of individuals diagnosed with a disease who are still alive 5 years after their diagnosis. It is a commonly used measure to assess the prognosis or outcome of a specific disease, and it provides valuable information about the likelihood of survival over a defined period of time. The higher the survival rate, the more favorable the outcome. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for people under the age of 60 diagnosed with AML is around 30-40%. For people over the age of 60, the 5-year survival rate drops to less than 20%. However, these statistics are averages and the survival rate can vary widely depending on specific factors related to the patient and the disease.

What Factors Affect Prognosis for Acute Myeloid Leukemia?

Age: Younger patients generally have a better prognosis than older patients.
Overall health: Patients in good overall health are more likely to tolerate treatment and therefore may have a better prognosis.
AML subtype: Some subtypes of AML have a better prognosis than others.
Genetic mutations: Certain genetic mutations can affect the prognosis. For example, mutations in the FLT3 gene has been traditionally associated with a poorer prognosis although this is changing with newer targeted therapies.
Response to treatment: Patients who respond well to initial treatment often have a better prognosis.

It's important to note that survival statistics are general trends and a patient's individual prognosis can vary greatly. Each patient's case is unique and should be discussed with their healthcare provider. Having an AML specialist on your team provides you with the best way of truly understanding your prognosis. Visit HealthTree's AML Specialist Directory to find an AML expert near you. You can also join HealthTree's social media platform, HealthTree Connect to meet other AML patients and learn what they've done personally to live longer with AML.