Mechanism of Pathway: Considerations of Cytogenetic and Molecular Mutation Status for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Deeper Look at the Role of Diagnostic and Ongoing Testing Across the Care Continuum

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of undifferentiated myeloid progenitors. While these leukemic blasts accumulate in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, impairment of normal hematopoiesis may lead to a reduction in the number of differentiated myeloid cells (granulocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, erythrocytes, megakaryocytes). Associated symptoms and consequences include anemia, bleeding, and an increased risk for infection.