Prognostic factors in AML in relation to (ab)normal karyotype.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a complicated, heterogeneous disease and the prognostic factors may be useful in deciding upon appropriate therapy. Cytogenetic testing at diagnosis yields critical prognostic information, but more refinement in prognosis is required. Within cytogenetic subgroups, further important subgroup definitions are possible based on the mutation status and expression analysis of genes such as C-KIT, FLT3, NPM1 and CEBPA, although defining therapies based on such mutations remains controversial.