Acute myeloid leukemia

Background

  • AKA Acute myelogenous leukemia or non-lymphocytic leukemia
  • Most common acute leukemia in adults (around 80% of cases)
  • 65 yo median age of diagnosis, Male:Female 5:3
  • Characterized by clonal proliferation of myeloid precursors(blast cells >20% in the periphery)

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Acute Leukemia/Lymphoma

Evaluation

  • CXR
  • CBC with peripheral smear
  • Chem7, ca, mg, phos, Uric Acid, UA, LDH (to check for tumor lysis syndrome)
  • LFTs, Coags, FDP, D-Dimer, Haptoglobin, Fibrinogen (to check for DIC)
  • ESR, CRP
  • Reticulocyte count in anemia
  • Get extra purple top for flow cytometry, especially before transfusion

Management

See Also

References

  • Janz TG, Hamilton GC: Anemia, Polycythemia and White Blood Cell Disorders, in Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al (eds): Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 8. St. Louis, Mosby, Inc., 2014, (Ch) 121:p 1586-1605.