What is acute promyelocytic leukemia?

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) or acute myeloid leukemia subtype M3 is a type of cancer affecting blood and bone marrow. This condition, which is characterized by severe bleeding disorders, is the result of accumulation of immature white blood cells called "promyelocytes" in the blood and bone marrow. Make -ups replace normal blood cells and plates and cause a decrease in normal number of blood cells. The affected women can also experience excessive blood flow in menstrual bleeding. Fever, fatigue, increased susceptibility to infections and bone and joint pain are some of the other main symptoms of APL.

Increased susceptibility to fever and infection is caused by a decrease in body defense due to a reduction in ripe white blood Cells. Similarly constant bleeding and rapid decrease in red blood cells and plates lead to anemia and fatigue. Symptoms of acute promyelocytic leukemia are sometimes associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), where bleeding from the skin, respiratory and digestive TRActs and even surgical wounds on the body.

The prognosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia is performed on the basis of several factors, including the number of white blood cells (WBC). APL is the subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is classified into seven major subtypes, M1 to M7, depending on the type of myeloid cell that is abnormal. Of these seven subtypes, patients with M3 or acute promyelocytic leukemia have been found to have higher chances of survival and better results. APL is most commonly observed in middle -aged people and in young children of Latin American or Středomurranean ancestry.

APPL treatment differs from the method of other leuke subtypes. A special form of "differentiation therapy" is used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, called All-Trans-Retinoic therapy (ATRA). Atra induces immature promyelocytes for injury and thus prevents their proliferation. Is fromIt is secured that atra follows chemotherapy, which completely cures APL in more than 75% of patients. Some patients may experience relapse APL; However, it has been found that the maintenance treatment of atra, low dose chemotherapy and arsenic oxide reduce the relapses of this disease.