Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Background: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous and aggressive Hematological malignancy characterized by the rapid proliferation of abnormal myeloid cells. Hepatomegaly, or the abnormal enlargement of the liver, is sometimes observed in AML patients and may have implications for disease progression and patient outcomes. This study investigates the role of hepatomegaly as a predictor of disease progression in AML patients.
Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the significance of hepatomegaly as a prognostic indicator in AML, focusing on its association with disease progression, treatment response, and overall survival.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, analyzing clinical data from 200 AML patients treated at a major cancer center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of hepatomegaly at diagnosis. Key outcomes, including disease progression, relapse rates, treatment response, and overall survival, were compared between the two groups using multivariate Cox regression analysis.
Results: The study found that AML patients with hepatomegaly at diagnosis had a significantly higher rate of disease progression compared to those without hepatomegaly. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 45% in the hepatomegaly group compared to 65% in the non-hepatomegaly group (P=0.02). Additionally, the overall survival (OS) was lower in the hepatomegaly group, with a 5-year OS of 30% versus 50% in the non-hepatomegaly group (P=0.03). Multivariate analysis identified hepatomegaly as an independent predictor of poor prognosis, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.8 (95% CI: 1.2-2.7, P=0.01) for disease progression.
Conclusion: Hepatomegaly at diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of disease progression and poorer survival outcomes in AML patients. These findings suggest that hepatomegaly could serve as a valuable prognostic marker, helping to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from more aggressive treatment strategies. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms linking hepatomegaly to disease progression in AML.