What is acute myeloid leukemia (AML)?

• A. A type of cancer characterized by uncontrolled production of immature WBCs in the bone marrow.
• B. A cancer of mature red blood cells.
• C. A cancer of lymphocytes.
• D. A non-malignant bone disease.

Answer: (A)

AML is a cancer of the myeloid lineage in which myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow transform and proliferate as immature cells called myeloblasts. This leads to an uncontrolled buildup of immature white blood cells in the marrow (and often in the blood) and to crowding that suppresses normal blood cell production. Because these blasts are immature and nonfunctional, patients develop anemia, infections, and easy bruising from decreased red cells, neutrophils, and platelets. The description that best fits AML is the uncontrolled production of immature white blood cells in the bone marrow. It is not a cancer of mature red blood cells, not a cancer of lymphocytes, and not a non-malignant bone disease.