AML

Meaning of AML: AML is a fast progressing blood cancer in which immature white blood cells accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding out normal blood cell production.

Definition of AML

AML is an aggressive, fast growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It develops when immature white blood cells called myeloblasts fail to mature properly and instead multiply rapidly, accumulating in the bone marrow and crowding out the normal cells responsible for producing healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Because AML interferes with normal blood cell production, it commonly causes symptoms related to a shortage of healthy blood cells, including fatigue and shortness of breath from low red blood cells, increased susceptibility to infection from a lack of functioning white blood cells, and easy bruising or bleeding from low platelets.

AML is distinguished from acute lymphoblastic leukemia by the specific type of immature cell involved, myeloblasts rather than lymphoblasts, a distinction identified through examination of blood and bone marrow samples and used to guide treatment.