Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that causes the body to make a large number of young white blood cells (myeloblasts). But these myeloblasts, called leukemia cells, cannot fight infection very well.

When leukemia cells build up in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy blood cells. This can cause infections, anemia, and easy bleeding.

AML usually gets worse quickly. It sometimes is referred to as acute myelogenous leukemia.