Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that build up in the bone marrow and interfere with normal blood cell production. AML is most common in adults around age 50 and has an overall low survival rate of 15-30%. Risk factors include other blood disorders, genetic conditions like Down syndrome, and exposure to chemicals or radiation. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, fever, bleeding, bone pain, and an enlarged spleen or lymph nodes. Laboratory tests show abnormal blood cell counts and the presence of immature white blood cells in the bone marrow. Immunophenotyping helps distinguish AML from other leukemias. Classification systems organize A

1. ACUTE MYELOGENOUS
LEUKEMIA (AML)

2. Rapid growth and accumulation of immature myeloid precursors
(blasts) in bone marrow, replacing normal elements.
Interference with differentiation of early myeloid cells.
Median age is 50
Overall survival is 15% to 30%

4. RISK FACTORS
Preleukemia: myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative disease
Genetics: Down syndrome
Chemical exposure: benzene, chemotheraypy
Ionizing radiation

5. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Fatigue
Fever
Bleeding: petechia
Bone pain & tenderness
Splenomegaly & lymphadenopathy

6. LABORATORY FINDINGS
WBC count: <10,000 to >100,000 cells/𝑚𝑚3
Thrombocytopenia: < 100,000 cells/𝑚𝑚3
Leukocytosis
Normocytic anemia

7. MORPHOLOGY
Delicate nuclear chromatin, prominent nucleoli, and fine azurophilic
cytoplasmic granules
Auer rods; acute promyelocytic leukemia

8. IMMUNOPHENOTYPE (FLOW
CYTOMETRY)
Myeloid-associated antigens
CD13, CD14, CD15, CD64, or CD117
Differentiate AML from ALL & identifying AMLs

9. WHO CLASSIFICATION
1. AML with specific genetic abnormalities
[t(8;21), inv(16)], t(15:17) PML/PARA
2. AML with dysplasia
Myelodysplastic syndrome
3. AML, therapy-related
Alkylating agents, epipodophyllotoxin
4. AML, not otherwise classified
Defined by extent & type of differentiation

10. FRENCH-AMERICAN-BRITISH
CLASSIFICATION