acute myeloid leukemia

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Explanation of "Acute Myeloid Leukemia"

Definition:
"Acute myeloid leukemia" (often abbreviated as AML) is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It happens when there is an increase in abnormal white blood cells, specifically a kind called "granular leukocytes" or "myeloid cells." These cells do not function properly and can crowd out healthy blood cells, making it hard for the body to fight infections or carry oxygen.

Advanced Usage:

• In medical discussions, you might hear phrases like "the prognosis for a patient with acute myeloid leukemia" or "treatment options for acute myeloid leukemia."

Word Variants:

• Leukemia: This is a general term for cancers of the blood. There are different types, including acute and chronic forms, and different types based on the cells involved (like lymphoid or myeloid).
• Acute: This term means that the condition comes on suddenly and can be severe. It differs from "chronic," which refers to conditions that last a long time or develop slowly.

Different Meanings:

• The word "acute" can also refer to something that is sharp or intense, like an acute pain, but in this context, it specifically relates to the rapid onset of the disease.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "acute myeloid leukemia," but you might hear related terms like:
  • "Blood cancer"
  • "Myeloid neoplasm" (a broader category of diseases that includes AML)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "acute myeloid leukemia" does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, here are some related terms: - "Fight against cancer": To struggle to overcome a cancer diagnosis, which could include undergoing treatment or supporting research. - "Come down with": A phrasal verb commonly used to describe becoming ill, e.g., "He came down with a serious illness."

Summary:

"Acute myeloid leukemia" is an important medical term that refers to a specific type of cancer affecting the blood.

Academic

Noun

1. acute leukemia characterized by proliferation of granular leukocytes; most common in adolescents and young adults

Synonyms

• acute myelocytic leukemia