Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 205.0      ICD10: C92.90      ICD11: XH7S21

Myeloid leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
Specifically, it's a cancer of the myeloid cells. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Myeloid Cells: These are a type of blood cell that normally develops into red blood cells, platelets, and various types of white blood cells (like neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes). These cells are crucial for carrying oxygen, clotting blood, and fighting infections.

Leukemia: In leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells. In myeloid leukemia, these abnormal cells are myeloid cells that haven't fully matured. These immature cells, called blasts, multiply rapidly and crowd out the healthy blood cells.

Key Characteristics of Myeloid Leukemia:
Uncontrolled Growth: The cancerous myeloid cells proliferate rapidly.
Impaired Blood Cell Production: The overproduction of abnormal cells interferes with the production of normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This leads to:
Anemia: Low red blood cell count, causing fatigue and weakness.
Increased Risk of Infection: Low white blood cell count, especially neutrophils (neutropenia), weakens the immune system.
Easy Bleeding and Bruising: Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) impairs blood clotting.

Types of Myeloid Leukemia: Myeloid leukemia is further classified based on how quickly it develops (acute vs. chronic) and the specific type of myeloid cell affected. The main types are:

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): This is a rapidly progressing cancer. It requires immediate treatment. There are several subtypes of AML, classified based on the specific characteristics of the leukemia cells.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): This is a slower-growing cancer. It often has a chronic phase (where symptoms may be mild) before potentially progressing to a more aggressive acute phase (blast crisis). CML is often associated with a specific genetic abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome.
Other Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs): These are a related group of blood cancers that involve overproduction of myeloid cells. While distinct from CML and AML, they share some similarities and can sometimes transform into AML. Examples include Polycythemia Vera (PV), Essential Thrombocythemia (ET), and Myelofibrosis (MF).
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): These are a group of disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells. MDS is considered a pre-leukemic condition, as it can sometimes evolve into AML.

Symptoms: Symptoms of myeloid leukemia can vary depending on the type and stage, but common symptoms include:
Fatigue
Weakness
Frequent infections
Fever
Night sweats
Easy bleeding or bruising
Bone pain
Swollen lymph nodes (less common in AML compared to some other leukemias)
Weight loss

Causes and Risk Factors: The exact causes of myeloid leukemia are often unknown. However, certain factors can increase the risk:
Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals: Benzene, chemotherapy drugs
Genetic disorders: Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia
Age: The risk of AML increases with age. CML is also more common in adults.
Smoking
Previous cancer treatment: Some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy can increase the risk of developing AML later in life.
Blood disorders: Having a previous blood disorder, such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), can increase the risk of developing AML.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis typically involves:
Physical Exam: To check for signs of the disease.
Blood Tests: Complete blood count (CBC) to look for abnormal blood cell counts.
Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy: A sample of bone marrow is taken and examined under a microscope to identify leukemia cells and determine the type of leukemia.
Cytogenetic and Molecular Testing: These tests analyze the chromosomes and genes of the leukemia cells to identify specific mutations that can help with diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning.

Treatment: Treatment options depend on the type of myeloid leukemia, the patient's age and overall health, and the stage of the disease. Common treatments include:
Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill leukemia cells.
Targeted Therapy: Using drugs that target specific molecules involved in the growth and survival of leukemia cells. This is particularly important in CML, where tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are highly effective.
Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy rays to kill leukemia cells (less common than chemotherapy).
Stem Cell Transplant (Bone Marrow Transplant): Replacing the patient's diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a donor (allogeneic transplant) or the patient's own stem cells (autologous transplant). This is often used for AML, and in some cases, CML.
Immunotherapy: Using the patient's own immune system to fight the cancer.

It's important to emphasize that this information is for general knowledge only and should not be considered medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment.