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Living with Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia

A rare type of acute myeloid leukemia that mostly occurs in childhood, especially in children with Down syndrome.

Understanding Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia

Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a rare acute myeloid leukemia that occurs mostly in childhood.

It is seen especially in children with Down syndrome (DS-AMKL). Acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis may also be linked to AMKL. GARD lists the onset as childhood and adulthood.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary says they may include:

  • Irritability
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Pale skin
  • Fever
  • Bleeding from the skin or mouth

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include blood and bone marrow specialists and cancer specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists); Cancer specialists (oncologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with American Cancer Society and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Does Down syndrome change how this is treated?
What tests will confirm the exact type of leukemia?
Which specialists should be on the care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startChild and as an Adult

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Blood

Also known as: acute m7 myeloid leukaemia; acute m7 myeloid leukemia; acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia (fab type m7); acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (fab type m7); acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, fab m7; acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, morphology

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Acute megakaryoblastic leukemiaGARD ID 524 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.

Explore the Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia blog

Explore research for Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia

Explore actively recruiting Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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