Malignancy of marrow stem cells with myeloid differentiation

Neoplasm of myeloid blast cells or myeloid stem cells

Demographics

• Adults 40-60y common

Risk Factors

• Elderly age.
• Male
• Pre-existing haematopoietic disorder: Myeloproliferative disorders (polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and CML) and myelodysplastic syndromes can transform/progress to AML.
• Down Syndrome.
• Viral infections.
• Radiation and chemical (i.e. benzene) exposure.

Aetiology

unknown. radiation, viral infection?

Pathogenesis

• mutations to increase division/self renewal or decrease maturation