The Many Classifications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Dysplasia: WHO vs ICC

Acute erythroid leukemia (AEL), a rare and diagnostically complex subtype of acute leukemia, has undergone significant evolution in its diagnostic criteria since its initial description in 1912 by Copelli. Proper classification requires the integration of clinical history and diagnostic studies, including peripheral blood and bone marrow morphology, flow cytometry, cytogenetic and molecular studies. The latter have significant clinical and prognostic implications. Here, we discuss a case of AEL with a TP53 mutation and highlight the importance of integration of multiple test modalities in the accurate diagnosis of AEL versus acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplasia- related (AML-MR). Additionally, we provide an overview of AEL and compare diagnostic changes in the WHO-HAEM5 and ICC.