Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
Which of the following findings is most consistent with a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia on bone marrow biopsy?
A. <5% lymphoblasts in the bone marrow
B. Reed-Sternberg cells
C. >20% myeloblasts with Auer rods
D. Increased mature neutrophils
E. Hypercellular marrow with plasma cell infiltration
Answer and topic summary
The answer is C. >20% myeloblasts with Auer rods
Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer that involves the myeloid precursor cells. It is characterized by clonal proliferation (excessive growth) of abnormal myeloid precursor cells. Risk factors include smoking, chemotherapy/radiation, and myelodysplastic syndromes.
Clinical features include fatigue, pallor, weakness, bone pain, gingival bleeding, fever, and organomegaly. Laboratory findings are variable, but may include pancytopenia (decrease in RBCs, WBCs, and platelets), electrolyte derangements, and/or hypoxemia. Workup should include a peripheral blood smear and bone marrow biopsy. The bone marrow biopsy will classically show Auer rods and >20% blasts.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Hematology ⇒ ⇒
Also covered as part of the Internal Medicine EOR, Emergency Medicine EOR, Family Medicine EOR, and Pediatric EOR topic lists
