The death of Tatiana Schlossberg at just 35 years old has drawn renewed attention to acute myeloid leukemia, a rare but aggressive form of blood cancer that often goes undetected until it has already progressed. Schlossberg, an environmental journalist and the granddaughter of former United States President John F. Kennedy, passed away weeks after publicly revealing her terminal diagnosis. News of her death was confirmed in a statement shared by the JFK Library Foundation on Instagram, which read, “Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning.” The message, signed by her husband George Moran and other immediate family members, added, “She will always be in our hearts.” Her passing has prompted many to ask how such a serious illness could develop and advance so quickly in someone so young.
Schlossberg had spoken openly about her diagnosis in an essay published shortly before her death, explaining that she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia after giving birth to her second child. Despite undergoing two rounds of chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants, and participating in several clinical trials, the disease continued to progress. Her experience highlights how aggressive AML can be, even when treated with the most advanced medical therapies. Although AML is most commonly diagnosed in adults over the age of 60, her story serves as a powerful reminder that it can also affect younger adults and parents who otherwise appear healthy.
What Is Acute Myeloid Leukemia?
Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer that begins in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are produced. In this condition, the marrow starts producing large numbers of abnormal white blood cells that fail to mature properly. These defective cells multiply rapidly and crowd out healthy red blood cells, platelets, and normal white blood cells, preventing the body from carrying oxygen efficiently, fighting infections, and stopping bleeding.
As the number of abnormal cells increases, the balance of blood components becomes increasingly disrupted. Red blood cell shortages can lead to fatigue and breathlessness, platelet shortages can cause excessive bleeding and bruising, and dysfunctional white blood cells weaken the immune system. Because these changes affect multiple systems at once, people with AML often experience a wide range of symptoms that seem unrelated at first.
Unlike chronic forms of leukemia that develop slowly over months or years, AML progresses rapidly and requires urgent medical treatment. There are several subtypes of AML, each defined by specific genetic and molecular features. These differences influence how the disease behaves, how it responds to treatment, and how aggressively it progresses, making early and accurate diagnosis especially important.
Why Early Symptoms Are Often Missed
One of the main reasons acute myeloid leukemia is difficult to diagnose early is that its initial symptoms closely resemble common illnesses. In its early stages, the disease may feel like a lingering cold or flu that does not fully resolve. Fatigue, mild fever, headaches, and general weakness are often dismissed as stress, seasonal illness, or exhaustion, especially in people caring for young children or managing demanding schedules.
Because AML progresses quickly, these early symptoms tend to worsen rather than improve. What begins as persistent tiredness or frequent minor infections can escalate within a short period of time. As abnormal blood cells continue to replace healthy ones, the body loses its ability to compensate, and symptoms become more noticeable and disruptive.
Many people delay seeking medical care because the symptoms feel familiar and non-specific. By the time blood tests are performed, the disease may already be advanced. This delay is not uncommon and reflects how easily AML can hide behind symptoms that appear ordinary at first.
Early Warning Signs That Should Not Be Ignored
Persistent fatigue is one of the earliest and most common signs of acute myeloid leukemia. This is not the type of tiredness that improves with rest or sleep. People may feel drained throughout the day, struggle to complete basic tasks, or feel physically weak even after minimal exertion.
Frequent infections are another early warning sign. Although white blood cell counts may appear abnormal, these cells do not function properly, leaving the immune system less able to fight off bacteria and viruses. Infections may occur repeatedly or take longer than usual to resolve, and low-grade fevers may appear without an obvious cause.
Other early symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, feeling unusually cold, and a general sense of illness that persists over time. When these symptoms linger or worsen instead of improving, it may signal an underlying issue with blood cell production that requires medical evaluation.
Symptoms That Develop as AML Progresses
As acute myeloid leukemia advances, bleeding and bruising become more apparent due to falling platelet levels. People may notice frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or bruises that appear without clear injury. Small red or purple spots on the skin, known as petechiae, can also develop and are caused by tiny blood vessel leaks under the skin.
Shortness of breath and pale skin may develop as red blood cell levels decline. With less oxygen circulating throughout the body, everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs may become difficult. Weakness and lightheadedness can interfere with daily life and may worsen rapidly as the disease progresses.
Bone pain, back pain, and abdominal discomfort can occur as leukemia cells accumulate in the bone marrow and organs such as the liver or spleen. These symptoms may begin as mild aches but often become more persistent and severe over time, reflecting the growing burden of abnormal cells in the body.
Less Obvious but Serious Symptoms
Some symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia are less specific but still concerning when they occur alongside other signs. Night sweats, reduced appetite, and unexplained weight loss can develop as the disease affects the body’s metabolism and immune response. These symptoms are often mistaken for stress or other conditions.
Swollen lymph nodes may appear in the neck, underarms, or groin, signaling abnormal immune activity. In addition, wounds or sores that fail to heal properly may indicate impaired blood cell function and reduced ability to fight infection.
When multiple symptoms appear together or progress quickly, they may reflect widespread disruption of normal blood production. Recognizing these patterns is often key to prompting timely medical testing.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Medical care should be sought if flu-like symptoms persist for several weeks, fatigue worsens despite rest, or unexplained bruising or bleeding occurs. Repeated infections or fevers without a clear cause are also reasons to consult a healthcare provider.
Blood tests are often the first step in detecting abnormalities associated with acute myeloid leukemia. When identified earlier, treatment can begin sooner, which may help reduce complications and improve outcomes.
Tatiana Schlossberg’s decision to speak publicly about her illness provided rare insight into the reality of living with acute myeloid leukemia. Her openness has helped raise awareness of a disease that often goes undetected until it reaches an advanced stage. While her passing is a profound loss, the attention drawn to AML through her story may encourage others to recognize symptoms earlier and seek medical care without delay.
