AML

Relative incidence of acute myeloid leukemia subtypes

Schematic showing the appearance of acute myeloblastic leukemia, M0 under microscope

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (M2 type)

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by an overproduction of immature white blood cells, known as myeloblasts or leukemic blasts. These cells crowd out normal blood cells, leading to a decrease in healthy red blood cells, platelets, and mature white blood cells. AML is known for its rapid progression and requires immediate treatment.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of AML is not fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified. These include exposure to radiation, certain chemicals (such as benzene), previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and certain genetic disorders. Smoking is also considered a significant risk factor for developing AML.

Symptoms

Symptoms of AML can be nonspecific and may include fatigue, fever, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, weight loss, and bone or joint pain. Due to the lack of healthy blood cells, patients may experience anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of AML typically involves a combination of blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, and imaging studies. Blood tests may reveal anemia, thrombocytopenia, and an elevated white blood cell count with blasts present. A bone marrow biopsy is essential for confirming the diagnosis and for classifying the subtype of AML.

Treatment

Treatment for AML usually involves chemotherapy, which can be divided into two phases: induction and consolidation. Induction chemotherapy aims to achieve remission, while consolidation chemotherapy is used to eliminate any remaining leukemic cells. In some cases, a stem cell transplant may be considered, especially for patients with a high risk of relapse or those who do not respond to chemotherapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for AML varies widely depending on several factors, including the patient's age, the subtype of AML, and the presence of certain genetic mutations. Younger patients generally have a better prognosis than older patients. The development of targeted therapies and improvements in stem cell transplantation techniques have led to improved outcomes for some patients.

Epidemiology

AML is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults, though it can occur at any age. It accounts for a significant number of leukemia deaths each year. The incidence of AML increases with age, with the majority of cases diagnosed in adults over the age of 60.