Acute myeloblastic leukaemia

Question 1

define AML?

Answer 1

malignancy of myeloblasts

Question 2

how might AML be classified?

Answer 2

FAB (French-American-British) System to provide 8 morphological variants

Question 3

epidemiology of AML ? important!

Answer 3

• most common acute leukaemia in adults

- incidence increases with age

Question 4

signs and symptoms of AML?

Answer 4

•	Symptoms and signs of Bone Marrow Failure: 
o	Anaemia 
-	Fatigue
-	Dyspnoea
-	Pallor
-	Soft systolic murmur 
o	Thrombocytopenia
-	spontaneous bruising
-	bleeding gums
-	menorrhagia
o	Neutropoenia 
-	frequent and severe infections
•	Symptoms and signs of Tissue Infiltration: 
o	Gum swelling or bleeding due to hypertrophy 
o	CNS involvement (headaches, nausea, diplopia)  
o	Skin rashes

Question 5

what might be the initial investigations?

Answer 5

• Bloods

* Blood Film

Question 6

what might be seen on blood film?

Answer 6

o Lots of Myeloblasts

o Auer rods

Question 7

what could be seen in bloods?

Answer 7

o FBC - low Hb, low platelets, variable WCC
o High uric acid
o High LDH

Question 8

gold standard investigations?

Answer 8

• Bone Marrow Aspirate