Acute myeloid leukemia

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(Redirected from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia)

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


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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of AML typically involves:

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

Treatment[edit | edit source]

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

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD