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Acute Myeloid Leukemia

 

 

Clinical Features

 

Symptoms are often present for 4 to 6 weeks before the diagnosis is made, but can range from days to several months.

Range of presentation varies widely. Children with AML are often “sicker” than those with ALL at diagnosis.

 

Clinical Features of AML:

Common
  • Pallor
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Fever
  • Weight loss and anorexia
  • Bruising, bleeding

 
Less common
  • Bone/joint pain
  • Gingival hypertrophy in 10% of children
  • Abdominal pain

 
Rare
  • Chloromas or myeloid "tumors" (also known as granulocytic sarcoma or extramedullary leukemia).  Extramedullary deposits of leukemia cells.  Often arise from bone around orbit and present with mass effect
  • Mucous membrane and cutaneous hemorrhage
  • Headache, vomiting, visual disturbances

 

 

Findings on examination include:

  • Pallor
  • Tachycardia
  • Mild to moderate hepatosplenomegaly and enlarged lymph nodes in 50%
  • Bleeding/bruising tendency in skin and mucous membranes
  • Chloromas - sometimes can be subcutaneous nodules in infants
  • Gingival infiltration

 

 

 

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