ON THIS PAGE: You will find information about the number of children and teens who are diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) each year. You will also read general information on surviving the disease. Remember, survival rates depend on several factors. Use the menu to see other pages.
In general, leukemia is the most common childhood cancer. AML is the second most common form of leukemia in children, after acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, most cases of AML occur in adults. Childhood AML is more common during the first 2 years of life and during the teenage years. In the United States, about 730 people under age 20 are diagnosed with AML each year. AML is diagnosed in similar rates for children of different races and genders.
The 5-year survival rate tells you what percent of children and teens live at least 5 years after the cancer is found. Percent means how many out of 100. The 5-year survival rate for children under the age of 15 with AML is 68%. The 5-year survival rate for teens ages 15 to 19 is 67%. However, the survival rates for AML vary based on the subtype. For instance, research indicates that a subtype called acute promyelocytic leukemia has a 5-year survival rate of more than 80%.
It is important to remember that statistics on the survival rates for children and teens with AML are an estimate. The estimate comes from annual data based on the number of children and teens with this cancer in the United States. Also, experts measure the survival statistics every 5 years. This means the estimate may not reflect the results of advancements in how AML in children and teens is diagnosed or treated from the last 5 years. Talk with your child’s doctor if you have any questions about this information. Learn more about understanding statistics.
Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society's (ACS) publication, Cancer Facts & Figures 2022, the ACS website, and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) CureSearch for Children’s Cancer website. Additional source was: Seigel R, et al.: Cancer Statistics 2022. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2022 Jan; 72(1):7-33. doi/full/10.3322/caac.21708. (All sources accessed January 2022.)
The next section in this guide is Medical Illustrations. It offers drawings of body parts often affected by childhood AML. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.