Acute Myeloid Leukemia: About This Condition

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. In leukemia, normal blood cells are transformed in ways that lead to high counts of white blood cells. The term “acute” means that the disease progresses rapidly.

Myeloid leukemia develops from cells that give rise to white blood cells called granulocytes and monocytes. The main function of granulocytes is to destroy bacteria.

In acute leukemias, which develop quickly, the cancerous cells (called blasts) are immature and incapable of performing their immune system functions. That can leave people vulnerable to infections.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is also known as acute myelogenous leukemia. It is a fast-growing, aggressive condition. It is the most common kind of acute leukemia in adults.