A new trial has been able to discover that a highly sensitive bone marrow test could change the way diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia are done. It can help improve the lives of thousands who are diagnosed with this aggressive cancer. According to experts, more than two-thirds of those with AML experience a relapse months or even years after going into remission due to undetected leukemia cells remaining in their body. However, this new test can help identify these cells up to three months earlier than current monitoring methods, potentially doubling survival rates for some patients.

Early detection helps not just for earlier commencement of treatment, which typically leads to a better prognosis, but also makes sure that the patients are healthier and have normal red blood cell counts—which is important to help them tolerate the treatment.

The study, published in The Lancet Hematology and led by King’s College London, monitored more than 600 patients in remission for six years. There were many for whom chemotherapy did not show any effect, prompting the doctors to look for alternative treatments as they aimed to bring them back into remission before a stem cell transplant.

"Acute myeloid leukemia is a horrific disease. Being enrolled in this trial saved my life and enabled doctors to try alternative treatments. It's amazing to see great progress being made in improving treatment options for patients. I hope that being part of this research is going to help save the lives of so many others who are in a similar position to me," said Jane Leahy, one of the participants in the trial.

The research team hopes that the test can be adapted for use in diagnosing a variety of other cancers.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a rare cancer that affects your bone marrow and blood and typically happens when certain genes begin to mutate. According to experts, AML, an aggressive cancer that is also life-threatening, affects those who are above the age of 60 years or older, but it can also affect younger adults and children.

There are several subtypes of AML—all of which affect your blood cell levels, but different types cause different symptoms and respond to treatment in different ways.

Doctors say the symptoms of AML feel like you have a cold or flu that does not go away. Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive condition, which means you quickly develop new and more noticeable symptoms. Later symptoms include:

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.