• Subtypes of AML: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7 AML
  
• Both forms of acute leukemia inhibit the bone marrow's production of needed blood components, including red blood cells and platelets (structures involved in clotting blood).
  
• ALL is the most common cause of cancer in children, generally occurring between ages 3 and 5, but it can also affect adolescents and, occasionally, adults.
  
• AML affects people of all ages but is more common in adults.  It is a life-threatening cancer that rapidly replaces the normal cells in the bone marrow.
  

• Bleeding in gums
  
• Bleeding under the skin, such as bruises or spots
  
• Nosebleeds
  
• Increased menstrual bleeding
  
• Thickened and swollen gums
  
• Bone pain
  
• Joint pain
  
• Weight loss
  
• Fatigue
  
• Enlarged lymph nodes
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Severe infections are rare.
  
• Bloody urine
  
• Abdominal distention
  
• Nausea/vomiting
  
• Headache
  
• Fever
  
• Pallor
  
• Poor appetite
  

• Usually unknown
  
• Radiation
  
• Benzene
  
• Cancer chemotherapy
  

• Bloom syndrome
  
• Identical twin of a leukemia patient
  
• Siblings of leukemia patients
  
• Down Syndrome
  

1. Manual complete blood count shows diffuse decrease in all blood cell lines with the presence of blast cells (immature white blood cells).
   
2. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) will have granules in blast cells.  A special cell marker called TdT is present in 95 percent of cases.  It is subtyped to either B-cell or T-cell type.
   
3. Genetic testing on the cells is performed.  Hyperdiploid genes have a more favorable prognosis.  Monosomy 5 and 7, the Philadelphia chromosome, and an 11q23 abnormality indicate a poorer prognosis.
   
4. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) shows Auer rods in the blast cells.  Special stains may also be done. 
   
5. Genetic testing is performed and t (8,21), t (15,17), and inv16q have a more favorable prognosis.
   
6. A bone marrow biopsy showing 30 percent or more blast forms, confirming the diagnosis
   
7. Other lab findings may include disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is a severe depletion of clotting factors in the blood.
   
8. Uric acid level may be elevated.
   
9. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) will show blasts if meningeal leukemia is present.
   

• Your child needs need immediate medical treatment.  This is a curable disease.  In AML, nearly 80 percent of adults younger than 60 years of age can be cured.  Fifty percent of patients older than 60 years may also be cured.  In ALL, usually 80% of adults and 95%of children are cured.  The 5-year survival rates are 80-90% for the good prognosis group and 50% for the poor prognosis group.
  

• Lymphoma
  
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia
  
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
  
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  
• Hairy cell leukemia
  
• Mononucleosis
  
• Rheumatic arthritis
  
• Hemorrhagic disorder
  
• Aplastic anemia
  
• Osteomyelitis
  

- This is a severe elevation of the white blood cell count to greater than 200,000/uL.  Normal levels of white blood cells are 10,0000/uL.  The high level of white bloods cells interferes with the circulation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen.  Confusion, headaches, and shortness of breath are some of the symptoms.  This is a life-threatening emergency.  Blood must be filtered in a process called leukapheresis, and chemotherapy administered immediately.