Myeloids

Accute Myeloid Leukemia occurs when a mutation prevents correct development of Myeloid cells. A pathway in this cell line will fail to produce mature and healthy cells. The Myeloid branch includes pathways for platelets (thrombocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), and myelocytes (one class of white blood cell), which includes neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils (in order of frequency). The image to the left shows examples of the more common myelocytes (top and middle). The lower image shows an example of a cancerous myelocyte. This example is actually a bit more mature than Kristi's myelocytes. The breakdown in her cell production happens very early, somewhere between the common myeloid progenitor and a myeloblast. This made it far more difficult for the pathologist to diagnose the condition. It is very difficult to determine the cell line to which they belong just by looking at them. Her physician, Dr. Shami, described a healthy bone marrow as a forest. When you look at it, you see a variety of species, a beautifull discord. When you look at Kristi's bone marrow, you only see one thing, immature myelocytes, that's it. This uniformity, in nature, is a clear indication of trouble.