Part of the book: Myeloid Leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal disorder affecting pluripotent stem cells and is characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis. Most AML patients harbor cytogenetic and molecular defects that identify entities with peculiar biologic and clinical data and distinct therapeutic responses. Approximately 50%–60% of de novo AML and 80%–95% of secondary AML patients display chromosomal aberrations. Structural chromosomal rearrangements are the most common cytogenetic abnormalities in de novo AML, with an incidence of 40%. Last years, large collaborative studies have demonstrated the importance of cytogenetic aberrations for the prognosis of AML patients.
Part of the book: Leukemias