Acute erythroid leukemia

Acute erythroid leukemia (AEL) is a rare subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is characterized by a high percentage of immature red blood cells (erythroblasts) in the bone marrow and blood.

Classification

Acute erythroid leukemia is classified into two subtypes according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues:

1. Pure erythroid leukemia (PEL): This subtype is characterized by a predominance of immature erythroid precursors in the bone marrow.
2. Erythroleukemia (EL): This subtype is characterized by a significant myeloblastic component along with the erythroid precursors.

Symptoms

The symptoms of acute erythroid leukemia are similar to other forms of AML and may include fatigue, fever, weight loss, and bleeding or bruising easily.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of AEL is based on the examination of bone marrow biopsy and blood tests. The presence of a high percentage of erythroblasts in the bone marrow is a key diagnostic feature.

Treatment

Treatment for AEL typically involves chemotherapy and may also include stem cell transplantation. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's overall health and the specific characteristics of the leukemia.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with AEL is generally poor, with a lower survival rate compared to other subtypes of AML. However, individual prognosis can vary widely and depends on a number of factors, including the patient's age and overall health.

See also

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Leukemia
• Erythroblast
• Chemotherapy
• Stem cell transplantation