By Dawn Tay

THE chief executive officer of DBS Group Holdings,Mr Richard Stanley, has been stricken with a rare cancer known as acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML).

AML is a fast-growing cancer which attacks the blood and bone marrow. If left untreated, those with the cancer can die in a few months.

Unlike acute lymphocytic leukaemia, which affects mainly children, AML affects mostly older adults around the age of 60.

The bank said in a statement that Mr Stanley, 48, found out about his condition yesterday.

He had sought treatment on Monday after he had a cough and a high fever. He was warded on Tuesday.

The DBS spokesman said Mr Stanley will begin treatment in Singapore immediately, and is expected to take a leave of absence from the bank of about three to six months. The bank's chairman, Mr Koh Boon Hwee, will take charge while Mr Stanley is away, he said.

Private oncologist Ben Maw estimated that AML hits around two to four in every 100,000 Singaporeans yearly. This is relatively low compared to breast cancer, which strikes 80 to 90 people for every 100,000 Singaporeans each year.

AML occurs when the body produces too many immature myeloid cells, or produces insufficient normal myeloid cells.

Myeloid cells are a group of white blood cells which normally develop into mature blood cells.

The deficiency in mature blood cells leaves patients vulnerable to a wide range of health complications, including infections because of a lowered immune system and internal bleeding, said Dr Maw. Intensive chemotherapy and, if neccessary, a bone marrow stem-cell transplant, are the usual treatment for AML, he added.

As for Mr Stanley, who joined DBS last May, the bank is optimistic about his condition. Mr Koh said: 'My colleagues and I look forward to the day when his condition is in remission...we wish him a speedy recovery.

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