AML - Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), also known as acute myelocytic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia, is a cancer that begins in cells that normally develop into our blood cells. Most cases of AML develop from cells that would turn into white blood cells, but some cases develop in other types of blood-forming cells. The only exception is the cells called lymphocytes. Acute leukemia of these cells is acute lymphocytic leukemia and is discussed below.

AML starts in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of the bones), but in most cases it quickly moves into the blood. It can sometimes spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and testes.

Other types of cancer can start in these organs and then spread to the bone marrow. But these cancers that start elsewhere and then spread to the bone marrow are not leukemia. "Acute" means that the leukemia develops quickly, and if not treated, would probably be fatal in a few months.

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