A Glossary of Medical Terms for AML Patients & Caregivers

Medical terminology and abbreviations can be overwhelming for patients. Patients should feel encouraged to ask their medical team to explain terms that they do not understand. 

What Does AML Mean?

Acute myeloid leukemia, often abbreviated to AML, is a type of fast-growing cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by the presence of too many immature white blood cells, called myeloblasts. Myeloblasts become mature white blood cells called granulocytes, which include basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes. The myeloblasts found in patients with acute myeloid leukemia are abnormal and do not become healthy white blood cells. Acute myeloid leukemia may also be referred to as acute myelogenous leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Acute monocytic/monoblastic leukemia is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia defined by the proportion of monocytic cells. In acute monocytic leukemia, most of the monocytic cells are promonocytes or monocytes, whereas, in acute monoblastic leukemia, the majority of monocytic cells are monoblasts. 

What is the Difference Between Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia?

Acute lymphocytic leukemia, also referred to as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and abbreviated to ALL, is another type of acute leukemia characterized by the presence of too many lymphoblasts, a type of immature white blood cell. Lymphoblasts differ from myeloblasts in that they develop into mature lymphocytes (see picture above). As acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia are both types of acute leukemias, the symptoms can be similar. In general, acute lymphocytic leukemia is more common in children, and acute myeloid leukemia is more common in older adults. 

What is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Leukemia?

In acute leukemias, such as acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia, the abnormal white blood cells are immature and cannot function, whereas, in chronic leukemias, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), the abnormal white blood cells may still function normally. Additionally, in acute leukemias, the abnormal white blood cells multiply rapidly, whereas chronic leukemias develop more gradually. 

What Does Prognosis Mean?

Prognosis is a term used by healthcare professionals meaning the likely outcome or course of the disease. 

What is a Bone Marrow Transplant?

A bone marrow transplant is a type of procedure where a patient receives healthy stem cells to replace their own. The transplant can be performed with the patient's cells (autologous) or with cells from a donor (allogeneic). 

What are Some Common Abbreviations Used in AML?

Below is a list of some abbreviations commonly used by healthcare professionals when discussing acute myeloid leukemia. 

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Sources

• NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
• Acute monoblastic and monocytic leukemia
• Identification of similarities and differences between myeloid and lymphoid acute leukemias using a gene-gene interaction network
• Medical Terminology for Cancer 15: Abbreviations and Acronyms for Oncology