AML COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FULL
SOLUTION GRADED A+
●● Etiology of AML.
Answer: Sporadic, therapy related, previous Myelodysplastic Syndrome,
germline predisposition
●● Pathogenesis Class I Mutation.
Answer: Proliferation leading to myeloid blast accumulation and bone
marrow failure
●● Pathogenesis Class II Mutations.
Answer: Genetic alterations affecting differentiation
●● Risk Factors for AML.
Answer: <60 years old, prior chemotherapy and radiation, male,
myelodysplastic syndrome, smoking, genetic predisposition
●● Physical Exam Findings in AML.
Answer: Pallor, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, easy bruising + petechiae,
leukemia cutis, encephalopathy and focal deficits with neurologic
involvement
, ●● Differential Diagnosis for AML.
Answer: ALL, MDS, acute promyelocytic leukemia, mixed phenotype
acute leukemia
●● Lab & Diagnostic Findings in AML.
Answer: CBC shows anemia, thrombocytopenia, variable WBC counts;
peripheral smear shows circulating blasts and auer rods; increased LDH
+ uric acid; bone marrow biopsy shows >20% myeloid blasts
●● Diagnostic Criteria for AML.
Answer: >20% myeloid blasts and presence of AML defining
abnormality such as auer rods on peripheral smear
●● Management of AML.
Answer: Cytarabine for 7 days + anthracycline (daunorubicin and
idarubicin) for 3 days, FLT3 inhibitors, stem cell transplants
●● What is the most likely diagnosis for a 66-year-old man with fatigue,
fever, easy bruising, anemia, and blasts with Auer rods?.
Answer: Acute myelogenous leukemia
●● What primary pathophysiologic process leads to AML?.
Answer: Differentiation block of myeloid progenitors
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FULL
SOLUTION GRADED A+
●● Etiology of AML.
Answer: Sporadic, therapy related, previous Myelodysplastic Syndrome,
germline predisposition
●● Pathogenesis Class I Mutation.
Answer: Proliferation leading to myeloid blast accumulation and bone
marrow failure
●● Pathogenesis Class II Mutations.
Answer: Genetic alterations affecting differentiation
●● Risk Factors for AML.
Answer: <60 years old, prior chemotherapy and radiation, male,
myelodysplastic syndrome, smoking, genetic predisposition
●● Physical Exam Findings in AML.
Answer: Pallor, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, easy bruising + petechiae,
leukemia cutis, encephalopathy and focal deficits with neurologic
involvement
, ●● Differential Diagnosis for AML.
Answer: ALL, MDS, acute promyelocytic leukemia, mixed phenotype
acute leukemia
●● Lab & Diagnostic Findings in AML.
Answer: CBC shows anemia, thrombocytopenia, variable WBC counts;
peripheral smear shows circulating blasts and auer rods; increased LDH
+ uric acid; bone marrow biopsy shows >20% myeloid blasts
●● Diagnostic Criteria for AML.
Answer: >20% myeloid blasts and presence of AML defining
abnormality such as auer rods on peripheral smear
●● Management of AML.
Answer: Cytarabine for 7 days + anthracycline (daunorubicin and
idarubicin) for 3 days, FLT3 inhibitors, stem cell transplants
●● What is the most likely diagnosis for a 66-year-old man with fatigue,
fever, easy bruising, anemia, and blasts with Auer rods?.
Answer: Acute myelogenous leukemia
●● What primary pathophysiologic process leads to AML?.
Answer: Differentiation block of myeloid progenitors
