⁠Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

⁠Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APML)

Overview

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) is a rare type of blood cancer that affects immature white blood cells. It's also known as AML M3.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells. In APL, there is an abnormal accumulation of immature granulocytes called promyelocytes.

Symptoms

• Low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
• Infections that happen more often or last longer than normal
• Bruising and bleeding
• Weight loss
• Unexplained fever
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the arms, legs, and neck

Causes

• A faulty gene called PML/RARA is formed when two chromosomes mix up during the development of blood cells

Risk factors Age and Previous cancer treatment.

Treatment Tretinoin, Arsenic trioxide, Idarubicin, Mitroxantrone, and AIDA.

Prognosis

• Without treatment, the median survival is about one month
• With modern treatment, most patients achieve complete remission

Diagnosis

• A hematologist, a specialist in blood disorders, can diagnose APML

Other complications Kidney failure, Low blood pressure, Low level of oxygen in the blood, and Excess fluid buildup around the heart and lungs.