Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. In this article, we will discuss the 11 different varieties of acute myeloid leukemia.

1. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)

APL is a type of AML that develops due to the abnormal growth of immature blood cells in the bone marrow. It is characterized by the presence of a genetic mutation that affects the function of a protein called retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα).

2. Acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML-M0)

AML-M0 is a rare type of AML that represents less than 5% of all cases. It is characterized by the presence of immature and undifferentiated blasts in the bone marrow and blood.

3. Acute myeloblastic leukemia with minimal differentiation (AML-M1)

AML-M1 is a type of AML that is also characterized by the presence of immature blasts in the bone marrow and blood. However, these blasts show some degree of differentiation.

4. Acute myeloblastic leukemia with maturation (AML-M2)

AML-M2 is the most common type of AML, accounting for about 20-25% of all cases. It is characterized by the presence of blasts that have started to differentiate into more mature blood cells.

5. Acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML-M4)

AML-M4 is a type of AML that affects both myeloid and monocytic cells in the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by the presence of blasts that have started to differentiate into both types of cells.

6. Acute monocytic leukemia (AML-M5a and AML-M5b)

AML-M5a and AML-M5b are two subtypes of AML that affect only monocytic cells in the bone marrow and blood. AML-M5a is characterized by large blasts with prominent nucleoli, while AML-M5b has more differentiated monocytes.

7. Acute erythroleukemia (AML-M6)

AML-M6 is a type of AML that is characterized by the presence of blasts that have started to differentiate into erythroid cells. These cells are responsible for producing red blood cells.

8. Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AML-M7)

AML-M7 is a rare type of AML that is characterized by the presence of blasts that have started to differentiate into megakaryocytes. These cells are responsible for producing platelets.

9. Acute basophilic leukemia (ABL)

ABL is a rare type of AML that is characterized by the presence of abnormal blasts that show basophilic staining. Basophils are a type of white blood cell that play a role in inflammatory reactions.

10. Acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis (APMF)

APMF is a rare type of AML that is characterized by the presence of blasts that affect all types of blood cells in the bone marrow and blood. It is also associated with the development of fibrosis (scarring) in the bone marrow.

11. Acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL)

AUL is a rare type of AML that is characterized by the presence of immature blasts that cannot be classified into any other subtype of AML. It is often the most aggressive form of AML, with a poor prognosis.