Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) - adult

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Acute Monocytic Leukemia - Skin

Auer rods

Blood cells

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a cancer of blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow. It involves the growth of immature white blood cells.

There are 8 categories of AML, categorized as M0 to M7, based on which blood cells are abnormal.

AML; Acute myeloid leukemia (AML); Acute granulocytic leukemia; Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL); Leukemia - acute myeloid (AML); Leukemia - acute granulocytic; Leukemia - nonlymphocytic (ANLL)

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) may occur at any age, but generally occurs in people about age 65. (It may also affect children younger than age 1, but this article focuses on AML in adults.)

AML is rarely seen in people younger than 40. A 50 year old has a 1 in 25,000 chance of developing AML. A 70 year old has a 1 in 7,000 chance. The cancer is more common in men than women.

During AML, defective cells in the bone marrow multiply rapidly and replace healthy blood cells.

Bone marrow failure occurs as cancerous cells replace normal bone marrow. The bone marrow is part of the body's immune system. Problems with the immune system can make it harder for the body to fight infection. Patients with AML have an increased risk of bleeding as healthy blood cells drop. They become more prone to infection as the immune system loses its ability to fight off dangerous substances.

In most cases, a cause can not be determined. However, the following are thought to cause some types of leukemia, including AML:

• Radiation
• Dangerous chemicals such as benzene
• Certain chemotherapy drugs, including etoposide and drugs known as alkylating agents

Gene defects may also play a role in the development of AML.

You have an increased risk of AML if you have or had any of the following:

• Exposure to radiation and chemicals
• Immunosuppression following an organ transplant
• Blood disorders, including:
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Essential thrombocythemia
  • Myelodysplasia (refractory anemia)

Review Date: 08/12/2004
Reviewed By: Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.