myelogenous leukemia

A type of leukemia (cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissue in the bone marrow) in which the blast cells (immature blood cells) that normally develop into granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, red blood cells or platelets are abnormal and build up in the blood and bone marrow.

Myelogenous leukemia can be chronic (slow growing) or acute (fast growing and aggressive).

Also called myeloid leukemia or granulocytic leukemia.