Paediatrics: Acute Myeloid Leukaemia: Free MSRA Podcast

🎙️ Deep Dive: Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) – The Bone Marrow Breakdown🔬 Your ultimate MSRA revision guide to one of the most exam-relevant haematological malignancies.🧬 What is AML?• Cancer of the bone marrow involving the myeloid cell line• Characterised by >20% blasts and blocked cell differentiation• Most common acute leukaemia in adults⚠️ Why It Matters for MSRA• High-yield due to varied symptoms and diagnostic complexity• Strong emphasis on genetic classification and risk stratification• Management includes chemo, targeted therapy, transplant, and supportive care🔥 Causes & Risk Factors• Genetic mutations or inherited syndromes (Down’s, Fanconi, Bloom)• Previous chemotherapy/radiotherapy (therapy-related AML)• Benzene exposure, atomic radiation• Progression from MDS, CML, or aplastic anaemia🩺 Classic Clinical Presentation• Fatigue, pallor (anaemia)• Infections (neutropenia)• Bleeding/bruising (thrombocytopenia)• Bone pain, hepatosplenomegaly, gingival hypertrophy• Leukostasis: respiratory distress, confusion if WCC >100×10⁹/L• Rare: skin lesions (leukaemia cutis), DIC🔍 Differential Diagnosis• ALL, MDS, aplastic anaemia• HLH, lupus, vitamin deficiencies• Drug-induced cytopenia• Other marrow-infiltrating malignancies🧪 Diagnosis Essentials• FBC: pancytopenia or ↑ WCC• Bone marrow biopsy: >20% blasts = AML• Flow cytometry confirms lineage• Cytogenetics: translocations, deletions• Molecular markers: FLT3, NPM1, CEBPA• Clotting, urate, LDH, HLA typing if transplant planned💊 Treatment PathwayInduction chemotherapy: e.g. 7+3 regimen (cytarabine + anthracycline)Consolidation: high-dose chemo or stem cell transplantMaintenance: e.g. oral azacitidine (in selected patients)APL subtype: ATRA + arsenic trioxide = targeted cure!Supportive care: transfusions, antimicrobials, tumour lysis prevention📊 Prognosis & Outcomes• Median age at dx ≈ 67 yrs; survival best in <60s• Cytogenetics/molecular mutations = key predictors• Better prognosis with NPM1+ / FLT3−, worse with TP53, therapy-related AML• Paediatrics: 65–75% 5-year survival; adults more variable• Secondary AML or TAML = poorer outcomes📚 Free Revision Resources on AML (MSRA):📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/acute-myeloid-leukaemia-aml-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/acute-myeloid-leukaemia-aml-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/acute-myeloid-leukaemia-aml-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/acute-myeloid-leukaemia-aml-rapid-quiz/🎓 Paediatrics for the MSRA Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/paediatrics-for-the-msra/🎯 Final Key TakeawayAML is a heterogeneous, high-stakes diagnosis. Think: fatigue + infections + bleeding = bone marrow failure. Early diagnosis, tailored chemo, and molecular profiling save lives.#MSRA #Haematology #AcuteMyeloidLeukaemia #AML #PasstheMSRA #MSRAQuiz #PaediatricsMSRA #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAAccordions #FreeMSRAResources #MRCGPExam #GPTraining #HaemOncRevision #Leukaemia