Hi @jan8 The transplant doctor mentioned that 25% of the patients don’t make it after transplant? The better way to look at that is 75% of the people do!! That doctor sounds way to negative for my taste!

If it’s any reassurance, after transplant, if a patient makes it 22 months without a relapse, then statistically, it is unlikely that the AML will return. If it does, then you continue treatment.
AML cells are tricky, they can mutate and hide out in the old bone marrow, sometimes eluding chemo. They can then re-emerge later and try to gain a foot hold again. The old bone marrow (your old immune system) no longer recognizes these as cancer cells and they can proliferate.

The advantage of a new immune system with a stem cell/bone marrow transplant is that the new system should recognize the cells and neutralize them, keeping you leukemia free from AML.
This is a bugger no matter what you go through…15-18 months of chemo or a stem cell transplant. You have nothing to lose by trying for the transplant if your doctor feels this is an option for you. It is the only potential cure for AML.
I’m happy to hear that you’re seeking other opinions. At 71 you’re not too old for a transplant. There can be factors that play into the decision such as any other illnesses. But it’s not just age. I was 65 at the time of mine. As I mentioned there are 2 other patients from my local cancer center who are in their early 70s and having the transplants. One had his 6 months ago. He is 71. The other person, is a 72 year old female and having hers in a month. Both in Wisconsin at UW-Madison.

There is always hope, Jan. As you can see there are a number of us who have had this same scenario, we’re here to help in any way we can. So keep us posted about your visit to Northwestern. And I think I can speak for all of us here, you are not a bother! You can ask us anything! 🙃