Acute myeloid leukemia

Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Other names	Acute myelogenous leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia
Specialty	Oncology, Hematology
Symptoms	Fatigue, fever, increased risk of infection, bleeding
Complications	Anemia, infection, bleeding, spread to other parts of the body
Usual onset	Rapid
Types	M0–M7 (based on the French-American-British (FAB) classification)
Causes	Genetic mutations, exposure to radiation, previous chemotherapy, smoking
Risk factors	Age, smoking, previous chemotherapy, genetic disorders
Diagnostic method	Blood tests, bone marrow examination
Differential diagnosis	Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Aplastic anemia
Treatment	Chemotherapy, Bone marrow transplantation, targeted therapy
Medication	Cytarabine, anthracyclines
Prognosis	Variable; depends on subtype, age, and genetics

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. AML is characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. It is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of AML are caused by the replacement of normal bone marrow with leukemic cells, which leads to a drop in red blood cells, platelets, and normal white blood cells. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Increased risk of infections
• Bleeding and bruising easily
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin

Causes

The exact cause of AML is not known, but several risk factors have been identified:

• Genetic mutations
• Exposure to radiation
• Previous chemotherapy treatment
• Smoking

Pathophysiology

AML involves mutations in the DNA of a cell in the bone marrow. These mutations cause the cell to grow and divide uncontrollably. The accumulation of these abnormal cells, or blasts, in the bone marrow inhibits the ability to produce normal blood cells.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of AML typically involves:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Cytogenetic analysis
• Molecular genetic testing

Treatment

Treatment for AML can vary based on the characteristics of the leukemia and the overall health of the patient. Common treatments include:

• Chemotherapy
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Targeted therapy

Prognosis

The prognosis for AML varies widely depending on several factors, including the subtype of AML, the patient's age, and the genetic abnormalities of the leukemia cells. Some subtypes have a relatively good prognosis, while others are more challenging to treat.

Epidemiology

AML is more common in adults than in children and is slightly more prevalent in men than in women. The incidence increases with age.

See Also

• Leukemia
• Myeloproliferative neoplasm
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation