The term "acute myeloid leukemia (AML)" refers to a whole group of malignant haematological diseases with similar morphology. It is a disseminated clonal proliferation of immature precursors of myelopoiesis. The etiology is unknown. There are genetic factors such as trisomy 21 (about 20-fold increased risk), the Fanconi anemia or even translocations such as t(15,17) -translocation in question. Environmental factors also play a role. Thus, a long-term chronic exposure to benzene or ionizing radiation can increase the risk. AML may also be the result of another history of hematology such as Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).
Eight subgroups of AML (M0-M7) have been defined by the French-American-British Cooperative Group (FAB) for different morphological characteristics and disease progression. Although AML can occur at any age, disease onset after the age of 65 is the norm. As the leukemic cells spread in the bone marrow and in the blood, signs of a disturbed hematopoiesis develop: paleness, coagulation disorders and susceptibility to infection. Rarely, moderate spleen enlargement or lymph node swelling, occasionally gingival swelling (gingival hyperplasia) occur.
Main laboratory findings are leukopenia or leukocytosis with peripheral blasts, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. If leukocytosis exceeds 100,000 / μl, there is a risk of leukostasis with hypoxia, retinal bleeding and neurological symptoms.
Despite intensive therapies, the prognosis of patients with AML is poor.