Final answer:
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer characterized by the rapid production of abnormal, immature white blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to impaired blood cell production and presenting severe symptoms like fatigue and increased infection risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that originates from the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. The term 'acute' in AML indicates that this cancer progresses quickly and can lead to severe symptoms, such as excessive bleeding, fatigue, fever, and an increased risk of infections. Unlike chronic leukemia, where mature white blood cells accumulate and fail to die, AML involves an overproduction of immature leukocytes, known as blasts, which do not function properly. Due to these immature cells, patients with AML can experience impaired production of erythrocytes (red blood cells), which are crucial for carrying oxygen throughout the body. This impairment leads to symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. The impaired red cell production is compounded by the fact that AML can hinder the production of all types of blood cells, including white blood cells that fight infection and platelets that aid in clotting.