Leroy Satchel Paige was the longtime Negro League star who eventually received his due in the majors. He reportedly got his nickname working as a baggage porter in Mobile, Ala., where he became a satchel tree by carrying several bags at once. Satchel, the man, was literally ageless.
The diagnosis of AML requires the identification of 20% or more leukemic blasts in the bone marrow. Further analysis then must separate AML from acute lymphoblastic leukemia by showing evidence for commitment to the myeloid lineage.
Refractory anemia with excess blasts. Five to 20% of marrow cells are blasts, and 1 to 5% blasts may circulate in the blood. Median survival is about 2 years and 20 to 30% progress to AML. Refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation. Twenty to 30% of the marrow cells are blasts, and more than 5% blasts circulate in the blood. Median survival is about 6 months and 75% progress to AML.