Another reason to throw the statistics out is his age.  I was 46 when I was diagnosed and was told that anyone under 50 is considered a young AML patient.  Quite often the people who get AML are those who are older and have other health problems going in or those who have had other cancers since chemo and radiation can cause AML.

So just go into this with a fighting attitude and be determined to face anything head-on.  I also don't know any statistics on how many people get through it without a transplant.  While the information is scary, educate yourself on what a transplant involves.  If he needs to face it, the information will benefit you.  I had one 2 years ago and they're worth the fight in my opinion.

Take care,

Kelly

I was diagnosed in May of 2008 with AML M4.  This friday I will be in remission 17 monthsand I was 47 when I was diagnosed.  I agree with Tex and KyGuy, they have the statistics, but it all depends on you and your outlook.  I try to stay upbeat and live everyday like it was my last.  My father was diagnosed in March of 1992 with AML, he passed away in November of 1992. His oncologist figured he was in remission for only 2 months.  But he was 57 and had Chrones Disease besides the AML. In 1992 the "odds" was a 20% survival rate, now it's 80% I believe.  But odds are odds and that really doesn't count, it's what you have in your heart that counts.

But didn't you have to go through chemo before the transplant?

AML that was caused by radiation has only been documented to occur from massive amounts of it.  Some say a Hiroshima like exposure.  It probably takes a lot less than that as some people have gotten radiation-related AML who work with radiation.  But the amount used in your radiation therapy shouldn't be anywhere near enough, especially if it wasn't focused on your marrow.

On the other hand, a lot of women get AML as a secondary cancer from breast cancer treatment.  If there was something other than just bad luck in your getting AML, I'd be more suspicious of the chemo than the radiation.

Blessings

You know, I think we all have things we wonder about.  Many of us have pet theories about how we got it.  All of mine have been shot down or are pretty well nonsensical.  One of my thoughts has been similar to yours.  I've had multiple spine injuires, before I got osteoporosis.  I've had a lot of radiation on my backbone where the marrow lives.  Years before my AML dx, I started refusing spinal x-rays unless abslutely medically necessary.

I have just learned enough in the past few years I just don't think the radiation was enough, even considering the area exposed.  I think I just got the damned disease because someone had to get it and why not me?

Thing is, in the long run, almost all of us will never know why we got the disease.  If it helps to have something to suspect, I don't guess there's really anything wrong with that.

Blessings