Acute monocytic leukemia

Acute Monocytic Leukemia (pronounced: uh-kyoot maw-noh-sit-ik loo-kee-mee-uh) is a subtype of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal monocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the bone marrow and blood.

Etymology

The term "Acute Monocytic Leukemia" is derived from the Greek words "akutos" (meaning sharp or sudden), "monos" (meaning single or alone), "kytos" (meaning cell), and "leukos" (meaning white). The term "leukemia" is derived from the Greek words "leukos" (meaning white) and "haima" (meaning blood).

Definition

Acute Monocytic Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. In this type of leukemia, the bone marrow produces a large number of abnormal monocytes that are not fully developed and do not function properly. These abnormal cells quickly enter the bloodstream and can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and central nervous system.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of Acute Monocytic Leukemia include fatigue, fever, weight loss, and frequent infections due to a lack of normal white blood cells. Other symptoms may include easy bruising or bleeding due to a lack of platelets, and shortness of breath due to a lack of red blood cells.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Acute Monocytic Leukemia typically involves blood tests, bone marrow tests, and sometimes genetic tests. The presence of a high number of abnormal monocytes in the blood or bone marrow is a key indicator of this disease.

Treatment

Treatment for Acute Monocytic Leukemia typically involves chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and sometimes stem cell transplant. The choice of treatment depends on a number of factors, including the patient's overall health, the specific characteristics of the leukemia cells, and the patient's preferences.

Related Terms

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia
• Monocytes
• Bone Marrow
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted Therapy
• Stem Cell Transplant

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Acute monocytic leukemia
• Wikipedia's article - Acute monocytic leukemia

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