Acute myeloid leukemia: overview, diagnosis, treatment, and key facts

Signs, symptoms and diagnosis

Symptoms result from deficiency of normal blood cells and from organ infiltration. Common complaints include fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infections and fevers. Some patients develop bone pain, weight loss or enlarged lymph nodes and spleen.

• Initial tests often include a complete blood count and peripheral blood smear.
• Definitive diagnosis requires bone marrow examination, including morphology, immunophenotyping (flow cytometry), cytogenetic and molecular studies.

Causes, classification and biology

AML arises when genetic and epigenetic changes block normal maturation of myeloid progenitors and promote uncontrolled proliferation. It can occur de novo or follow prior blood disorders or exposure to chemotherapy, radiation or certain chemicals. Classification has evolved from the older FAB system to modern frameworks that emphasize cytogenetic abnormalities and specific gene mutations because these findings guide prognosis and therapy.

Treatment and prognosis

Treatment strategies aim to induce remission, eradicate residual disease and prevent relapse. Typical approaches combine intensive induction chemotherapy, followed by consolidation with additional chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for eligible patients. Targeted agents and supportive care (transfusions, antibiotics) play important roles. Prognosis varies widely and depends on age, overall health and the leukemia's genetic features.

History, importance and distinctions

Recognition and treatment of AML have progressed markedly with improvements in chemotherapy, transplant techniques and targeted drugs. AML is distinct from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which involves lymphoid precursors, and from chronic myeloid diseases that have slower courses. Because rapid diagnosis and tailored therapy affect outcomes, AML remains a major focus of clinical research and specialized care.

For more general background on cancers, see cancer, on white blood cells see white blood cells, and for marrow function see bone marrow.