What treatment is commonly used for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?

Chemotherapy is the cornerstone treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). This form of leukemia is characterized by the rapid proliferation of abnormal myeloid precursors, necessitating an aggressive treatment approach to induce remission.

Chemotherapy typically involves a combination of cytotoxic drugs that target rapidly dividing cells, effectively killing both leukemic cells and some healthy cells, which accounts for the significant side effects associated with the treatment. The main goals of chemotherapy in AML are to achieve complete remission and to address the high risk of disease progression.

Other treatment modalities, while potentially helpful in certain contexts, are not the primary treatment for AML. For instance, radiation therapy may be used in specific situations, such as to alleviate symptoms or before a stem cell transplant, but it is not a standard treatment for AML itself. Surgery is generally not applicable for this type of leukemia as it does not involve solid tumors that can be surgically removed. Immunotherapy is an emerging area in cancer treatment, but its role in AML is still being researched and is not considered standard practice at this time.

Thus, chemotherapy remains the standard and most effective treatment approach for managing Acute Myeloid Leukemia.