Key learning points

• Acute myeloid leukaemia is a malignant disorder characterised by the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of a clonal population of myeloid stem cells.
• The median age at diagnosis is 68.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment is important.
• Bone marrow failure leads to anaemia, neutropenia (infections) and bleeding; but clinicians need to be aware of the wide range of possible presentations.
• In adults, consider a full blood count (FBC) within 48 hours to assess for leukaemia if any of the following are present: pallor, persistent fatigue, unexplained fever, unexplained persistent or recurrent infection, generalised lymphadenopathy, unexplained bruising, unexplained bleeding, unexplained petechiae or hepatosplenomegaly.
• Children and young people should be referred for immediate specialist assessment for leukaemia if they have unexplained petechiae or hepatosplenomegaly. 
• Children and young people should be offered a FBC within 48 hours to assess for leukaemia if any of the following are present: pallor, persistent fatigue, unexplained fever, unexplained persistent infection, generalised lymphadenopathy, persistent or unexplained bone pain, unexplained bruising, unexplained bleeding. 
• Medical emergencies can include neutropenic fever/sepsis, hyperleukocytosis, tumour lysis syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
• Treatments are individualised using prognostic indicators to avoid overtreating patients with favourable prognoses and improve outcomes in those with less favourable prognoses.

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