ON THIS PAGE: You will find information about how many children learn they have this type of cancer each year and some general survival information. Remember, survival rates depend on several factors. To see other pages, use the menu on the side of your screen.
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). About 500 children and 230 adolescents in the United States are diagnosed with AML each year. Childhood AML is most common during the first two years of life and during the teenage years.
The five-year survival rate is the percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases. Overall, the five-year survival rate for children with AML is between 60% and 70%. However, the survival rates for AML vary based on the subtype.
Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of people with this type of cancer, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with AML. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics.
Source: American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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