Acute myelogenous leukemia: review and update on therapy for the primary care physician

Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia often present first to their primary care physician with complaints related to bone marrow failure (anemia, infections, and bleeding). Prompt evaluation and stabilization of the patient are important prior to initiating definitive therapy. While chemotherapy is curative for some patients, bone marrow transplantation is an important part of the treatment plan for the majority of patients. Patients who fail to achieve a remission and those who relapse after chemotherapy can only be cured with a bone marrow transplant. It is important to consider bone marrow transplantation early in the course of the patient's treatment so appropriate plans can be made.