Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells, which are the infection-fighting cells of the immune system. Blood cells form in the bone marrow. In leukaemia, however, the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. These cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, making it hard for blood to do its work. In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), there are too many of a specific type of white blood cell called a myeloblast.
AML is the most common type of acute leukaemia in adults. This type of cancer usually progresses quickly if it is not treated.