Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), also known as acute myelogenous leukemia,
is a cancer of the myeloid line of cells, characterized by the rapid proliferation of abnormal cells which accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. AML is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults, and its incidence increases with age. Although AML is a relatively rare disease, accounting for approximately 1.2% of cancer deaths in the United States,
<1> its incidence is expected to increase as the population ages.
The symptoms of AML are caused by replacement of normal bone marrow with leukemic cells, resulting in 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.
Although several risk factors
for AML have been identified, the specific cause of AML remains
unclear. As an acute leukemia, AML progresses rapidly and is typically
fatal within weeks or months if left untreated.