Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, is a clonal proliferation of malignant hematopoietic precursor cells. These immature myeloid cells (myeloblasts) accumulate in blood, bone marrow, or other tissue and cause decreased production of normal blood cells. It is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults. AML is generally rapidly fatal if not treated with intensive chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy.

AML has subtypes and several different gene mutations. Diagnosis usually requires the presence of more than 20% myeloblasts in the peripheral blood or bone marrow; however, several subtypes (with specific cytogenetic / molecular findings) may be diagnosed with less than 20% myeloblasts present. Rarely, AML patients may develop myeloid sarcoma tumors (single or multifocal), which can manifest without blood or bone marrow disease. Myeloid sarcoma can precede AML by months to years, occur concomitantly, or follow after AML diagnosis or remission.

Median age at diagnosis for AML is 65 years, with male predominance. It comprises approximately 1% of adult cancer deaths in the United States, with an incidence of up to 20 cases per 100 000 in adults older than 65 years.

Related topics: acute myelomonocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia