Monocytic leukaemia

Monocytic Leukaemia is a subtype of leukaemia, a group of cancers that generally originate in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells. These white blood cells are not fully developed and are called blast cells or leukaemia cells. In monocytic leukaemia, the cancerous change takes place in a type of marrow cell that normally goes on to form monocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a role in fighting infections.

Types

There are two main types of monocytic leukaemia: Acute Monocytic Leukaemia (AMoL) and Chronic Monocytic Leukaemia (CMoL).

Acute Monocytic Leukaemia

Acute Monocytic Leukaemia (AMoL) is a subtype of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). It is characterized by a rapid increase in the number of immature blood cells (blast cells) in the bone marrow, resulting in less space for healthy cells.

Chronic Monocytic Leukaemia

Chronic Monocytic Leukaemia (CMoL) is a subtype of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML). It is characterized by the overproduction of monocytes that are able to mature, but they do not function properly.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of monocytic leukaemia include fatigue, fever, frequent infections, weight loss, and bleeding or bruising easily.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of monocytic leukaemia typically involves blood tests, bone marrow tests, and cytogenetic analysis.

Treatment

Treatment options for monocytic leukaemia can include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, and targeted therapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for monocytic leukaemia varies depending on a variety of factors, including the patient's age, overall health, and the specific characteristics of their leukaemia.

See also

• Leukaemia
• Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
• Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
• Monocyte
• Bone marrow