From the Guidelines
AML stands for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, specifically targeting myeloid cells which normally develop into various types of blood cells. The term "acute" indicates that this form of leukemia can progress rapidly, with symptoms developing quickly over days or weeks if left untreated. In AML, immature blood cells called myeloblasts accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. This leads to a decrease in healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, causing symptoms such as fatigue, increased risk of infections, and easy bruising or bleeding. AML is typically treated with intensive chemotherapy regimens, and in some cases, stem cell transplantation. The specific treatment approach depends on various factors including the patient's age, overall health, and the genetic characteristics of the leukemia cells, as outlined in the most recent guidelines 1.
Some key points to consider in the diagnosis and treatment of AML include:
- The importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as delayed treatment can lead to poor outcomes 1
- The use of cytogenetic and molecular analysis to determine the subtype of AML and guide treatment decisions 1
- The role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of AML, particularly for patients with high-risk disease or those who have relapsed after initial treatment 1
- The need for individualized treatment approaches, taking into account the patient's age, overall health, and genetic characteristics of the leukemia cells 1
Overall, the management of AML requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, incorporating the latest advances in diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care.
From the Research
Definition of AML
- AML stands for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a malignancy of the stem cell precursors of the myeloid lineage (red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells other than B and T cells) 2.
- It is a clonal hematopoietic cancer that disrupts normal hematopoiesis, ultimately leading to bone marrow failure and death 3.
- AML is a malignant disorder of the bone marrow characterized by the clonal expansion and differentiation arrest of myeloid progenitor cells 4.
Explanation of AML
- AML is the most common acute form of leukemia in adults, with a poor long-term survival and a high relapse rate 5.
- It is a genetically complex and dynamic disease, with numerous subgroups having heterogeneous molecular profiles, treatment responses, and prognoses 3.
- The age-adjusted incidence of AML is 4.3 per 100,000 annually in the United States, with incidence increasing with age and a median age at diagnosis of 68 years 4.
Key Points
- AML remains a rare malignancy, accounting for only 1.2% of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States per year, but it accounts for close to one third of all leukemias diagnosed 2.
- Recent changes in the understanding of genetic variations in the disease have led to promising new therapies, with hopes for improved outcomes in the future 2, 3.
- The diagnosis of AML is based on the presence of immature leukemia cells in the blood, and/or bone marrow or less often in extra-medullary tissues 6.