Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), also known as acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. In ANLL, there is an uncontrolled growth of immature myeloid cells, which are a type of white blood cell that normally develop into mature cells such as red blood cells, platelets, and other white blood cells. However, in ANLL, these immature cells do not develop into functional blood cells, and instead accumulate in the bone marrow and blood.
The exact cause of ANLL is not fully understood, but certain risk factors such as exposure to radiation or chemotherapy, genetic mutations, and certain blood disorders may increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Symptoms of ANLL can include fatigue, weakness, fever, easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, bone pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
Treatment for ANLL typically involves chemotherapy, which is designed to kill the cancer cells and allow normal blood cell production to resume. In some cases, a bone marrow or stem cell transplant may also be necessary to replace damaged cells with healthy ones. Prognosis for ANLL depends on several factors, including the person’s age, overall health, and the extent and aggressiveness of the disease.
