Date updated: June 01, 2009
Content provided by National Institute Of Health

Also called: Acute myelogenous leukemia, AML, Acute granulocytic leukemia, Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), Leukemia acute myeloid (AML), Leukemia acute granulocytic, Leukemia nonlymphocytic (ANLL)

The blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, the pulpy mass that is seen in the centre of long bones like the humerous or femur. When the marrow cells become malignant and starts producing an excess of WBC or immature blood cells acute myeloid leukemia occurs. It is commonly seen in patients above the age of 45.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia is also known as Leukemia - nonlymphocytic (ANLL), Leukemia - acute granulocytic, Leukemia - acute myeloid (AML), Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), Acute granulocytic leukemia, Acute granulocytic leukemia, AML and Acute myelogenous leukemia.

Men are more prone to suffer from this disease than women. Acute myeloid leukemia is characterized with an increase in malignant or abnormal cells in the bone marrow. These cells rapidly increase in number replacing the normal cells and the bone marrow stops producing healthy blood cells. The patient becomes more susceptible to infections as his immune system is compromised. Chances of hemorrhages are also increased as the natural process of blood clotting is hindered.