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Acute leukemias encompass two main types of rapidly progressing cancers that originate in the bone marrow: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): This type of leukemia is particularly more common in children than in adults. It is characterized by the uncontrolled and excessive proliferation of immature lymphoid cells in the bone marrow. These malignant cells invade the bone marrow, impeding the production of normal blood cells and leading to decreases in the patient's blood counts.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Due to its various subtypes, it is also known by several names such as "Acute Myelocytic Leukemia," "Acute Myelogenous Leukemia," or "Acute Granulocytic Leukemia." The term "acute" signifies the rapid and aggressive course of this leukemia, which, if left untreated, can be fatal within a few months. "Myeloid" refers to the type of cell in the bone marrow where the disease originates; it typically arises from cells that would develop into white blood cells (other than lymphocytes), but can also develop from other blood-forming cells. AML begins in the bone marrow and, in most cases, rapidly spreads to the bloodstream.
In both types of acute leukemia, involvement of organs such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and testes may be observed.
What are acute leukemias?
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): This type of leukemia is particularly more common in children than in adults. It is characterized by the uncontrolled and excessive proliferation of immature lymphoid cells in the bone marrow. These malignant cells invade the bone marrow, impeding the production of normal blood cells and leading to decreases in the patient's blood counts.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Due to its various subtypes, it is also known by several names such as "Acute Myelocytic Leukemia," "Acute Myelogenous Leukemia," or "Acute Granulocytic Leukemia." The term "acute" signifies the rapid and aggressive course of this leukemia, which, if left untreated, can be fatal within a few months. "Myeloid" refers to the type of cell in the bone marrow where the disease originates; it typically arises from cells that would develop into white blood cells (other than lymphocytes), but can also develop from other blood-forming cells. AML begins in the bone marrow and, in most cases, rapidly spreads to the bloodstream.
In both types of acute leukemia, involvement of organs such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and testes may be observed.