Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
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Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells and bone marrow. The bone marrow is the spongy inner part of bones where blood cells are made. White blood cells arise from the marrow and circulate in the blood. Leukemia is characterized by uncontrolled growth of blood cells. In acute leukemia, immature, functionless cells accumulate in the marrow and blood. The marrow often can no longer produce enough normal red and white blood cells and platelets. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is the most common leukemia in adults with some 10,100 new cases annually. AML accounts for just under half of cases of childhood leukemia. Although leukemia starts in the bone marrow, it can spread to the blood, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system and other organs. It does not usually form a solid mass or tumor. |
 Guidebook on Acute Myelogenous Leukemia |
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