What is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) also known as acute myelogenous leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). “Acute” means that the leukemia can progress quickly, and if not treated, would probably be fatal in a few months. “Myeloid” refers to the type of cell the leukemia starts from.

Acute myeloid leukemia starts in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of the bones, where new blood cells are made), but in most cases it quickly moves into the blood. It can sometimes spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and testicles.

The symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia are caused by replacement of normal bone marrow with leukemic cells, which causes a drop in red blood cells, platelets, and normal white blood cells. These symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, easy bruising and bleeding, and increased risk of infection. Several risk factors and chromosomal abnormalities have been identified, but the specific cause is not clear. As an acute leukemia, AML progresses rapidly and is typically fatal within weeks or months if left untreated.

Other types of cancer can start in these organs and then spread to the bone marrow. But these cancers that start elsewhere and then spread to the bone marrow are not leukemia. Acute leukemia that develops in lymphocytes is called acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).