Tatiana Schlossberg, the 35-year-old granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, has been diagnosed with terminal acute myeloid leukemia (AML), raising awareness about the symptoms and challenges associated with this aggressive blood cancer. Schlossberg shared her diagnosis in an essay published in The New Yorker, which detailed her personal experience with the disease and the significant impact it has had on her life. Her diagnosis was confirmed in May 2024, following an abnormally high white blood cell count detected shortly after she gave birth to her second child.
AML is a type of leukemia that originates in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. It is known for its rapid progression and ability to spread to various parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain, and spinal cord. The article references the rare gene mutation inversion 3, which is linked to a high resistance to standard chemotherapy treatments and poor clinical outcomes. Medical experts, such as Dr. Stephen Chung and Dr. Pamela Becker, highlight the importance of early detection, as symptoms like severe fatigue, shortness of breath, and unusual bleeding can be early warning signs of the disease.
The treatment for AML typically involves intensive chemotherapy, with stem cell transplants being a common approach for higher-risk cases. However, the article also notes the challenges associated with these treatments, including the potential for severe side effects and the difficulty of finding matched donors. Despite these challenges, experts are optimistic about the advancements in AML treatment, including new immunotherapies and targeted drugs that are being tested in clinical trials. Patients with the inversion 3 mutation may have limited options, but ongoing research in high-risk AML could offer new avenues for treatment in the future.