OBJECTIVES: To determine the number of patients with diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) including chemotherapy rates, types and care settings using sick-fund data. METHODS: Data provided by 4 statutory sick funds (SHI) and 2 data providers were analyzed for 2010. AML diagnosis was identified by ICD-10 C92.0 and other types of cancer by ICD-10 C00-79; D00-09; D37-48. Prevalence was extrapolated to the German population by correcting for a representative age- and gender distribution. RESULTS: The median proportion of AML patients > 60 years was 61.1% or 6,590 patients (SHI A: 63.0% = 4,938; B: 50.9% = 5,858; C: 68.9% = 8,975). The proportion of AML patients >65 years (sick fund D) was 47.6% or 4,400 patients. Gender ratio was 57% male and 43% female. On average, 2 additional oncological disorders were found in 77% of AML patients. 50% had an unspecified leukaemia (C95.90), 25% had CML (C92.1*) and 20% MDS (D46.9). Among patients >65 years the rate of treatment was 60.9% (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Code L01* (40%), pharmacy number (PZN) 9999092 (19%), operating and procedure code (OPS) 854* (26%)). 16.4% received both out- and inpatient treatment, 34.5% received outpatient treatment and 10.0% inpatient treatment. Identification of comppunds was possible when ATC codes were reported. 63.6% received imatinib and/or hydroxycarbamide, 11.4% tioguanine, 9.1% mercaptopurine, 9.1% cytarabine and 6.8% received dasatinib. The outpatient treatment rate in patients > 60 years diagnosed with AML only was 34.3% (6,2% mercaptopurine and idarubicine, 28.1% PZN 9999092). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence was higher than previously reported incidence numbers of 3,100 AML patients (SHI, all age groups). The yearly outpatient treatment rate was relatively low with 34.3% in patients diagnosed with AML alone. Other oncological disorders are likely to be diagnosed before AML diagnosis could be confirmed. Treatment rates increased with additional oncological disorders with the use of substances not approved for AML.