Chemotherapy for AML

Induction chemotherapy

Consolidation chemotherapy

• Aims to bring about remission (when the signs and symptoms of cancer reduce or disappear).
• You’ll have an intensive course of 2-4 drugs given over a week. 
• The drugs are often given through a central venous access device (CVAD) inserted into a vein in the upper arm or chest. The CVAD will be inserted under a general or local anaesthetic, and then left in place throughout the induction phase. 
• As the leukaemia cells die, they release a chemical called uric acid. This may build up and damage the kidneys, but can be controlled with medicine and intravenous fluids.
• You will usually stay in hospital for 4-5 weeks to be monitored for complications of chemotherapy. Your doctor will discuss this with you in detail before starting treatment.
• You’ll have a bone marrow biopsy to check how well the treatment has worked.

• Given after remission is achieved and once you have recovered from the induction chemotherapy.
• Aims is to kill any cells that may have survived induction chemotherapy and stop AML returning (relapsing).
• Over several days, you will have 2-4 chemotherapy sessions (called cycles) with rest periods in between.
• You may be given a similar combination of drugs to those used in induction, at the same or a higher dose.
• Depending on the types of drugs used and your general health, you will usually stay in hospital for 3-4 weeks. Some people can have their consolidation treatment as an outpatient and do not need to stay in hospital.