Fatigue and Cytopenia, A Case Report of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) manifests with vague symptoms including weakness, fatigue, and dyspnea.A 56-year-old man with a history of smoking and alcohol cessation presented with progressive dyspnea, leg edema, anorexia, weight loss, fatigue, and weakness over three months.Physical exam findings were unremarkable, except for pallor.Laboratory results indicated pancytopenia and elevated liver enzymes, with negative viral and hepatitis screenings.A chest X-ray revealed left basilar pneumonia with small pericardial and bilateral pleural effusions.He was managed with blood product transfusion and antimicrobials.Further workup with a bone marrow biopsy showed 90% hypercellular marrow with 30-35% blasts, indicating AML.Chromosomal analysis suggested a poor prognosis.The patient initially consented to a 7+3 daunorubicin and cytarabine therapy, but later declined a stem cell transplant, opting instead for outpatient palliative chemotherapy and electing for a do-not-resuscitate status.Vague symptoms with pancytopenia should raise suspicion for AML.Early recognition, prompt diagnosis, and treatment initiation are vital for optimizing patient outcomes.