Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex and aggressive blood cancer that requires rapid diagnosis and timely intervention. It is the most commonly diagnosed form of acute leukemia in adults and is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal white blood cells. These cells accumulate in the bone marrow, disrupting the production of healthy blood cells and leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising, and frequent infections.
Treatment for AML typically involves chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and, for eligible patients, allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Treatment decisions are guided by factors such as age, disease subtype, comorbidities, and overall health status. Despite advances in therapy, AML remains challenging to treat, particularly for older adults and those facing social or economic barriers to care.
The care journey for patients with AML often involves complex decision-making and coordination across settings. Multidisciplinary cancer care teams are essential in optimizing outcomes through early and accurate diagnosis—including the use of bone marrow biopsies—comprehensive assessments, personalized treatment planning, and effective communication with patients and caregivers.
This page features curated resources to support cancer care teams in the delivery of high-quality AML care, with a focus on diagnostic evaluation, care coordination, referral pathways, patient-provider communication, and addressing health equity.
Bone marrow biopsies play a critical role in diagnosing, staging, and monitoring treatment response in AML. In this expert-led educational video, Thomas LeBlanc, MD, MA, MHS, hematologist-oncologist, associate professor of medicine and population health sciences at Duke Cancer Institute, and Keri Halsema, MSN, NP, nurse practitioner and senior instructor in the Cell Therapy Center at University of Colorado, walk through essential best practices for performing and interpreting bone marrow biopsies in AML care. Topics include key diagnostic tests, biopsy techniques, outpatient procedural considerations, and strategies to improve provider confidence through training and simulation. The video also highlights the importance of patient education, interdisciplinary coordination, and timely lab processing to support optimal outcomes.
