Leukemias are malignancies of the blood cells. These cells are generated in the bone marrow. Acute myeloid leukemia is a malignancy characterized by the abnormal spread of the immature white blood cells called myeloblasts. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a malignancy whose main feature is the substantially high number of lymphocytes in the bone marrow and the peripheral blood.
In AML, the immature myeloblasts in the bone marrow impede the spread of other blood cells, such as RBC’s and platelets. The result is anemia, and the person can be easily bruised, and excessive bleeding occurs.
The immature white blood cells are not able to endure the invasion of the body by the pathogens. With ALL, platelets and hemoglobin are usually considerably low, while the white blood count is raised. Bleeding and bruising are also a factor, and infections can occur more quickly. ALL is common in children, but it is treatable with an early diagnosis, while adults do not share such a promising outcome.