Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
- Hematologic emergency because DIC can be fatal
- Start all-trans retinoic acid immediately when suspected
- ATRA + arsenic trioxide cures most standard-risk APL
- Higher-risk disease may add cytoreductive therapy
- Monitor/treat differentiation syndrome
- Aggressively support coagulopathy
Use at a glance
- Hematologic emergency because DIC can be fatal
Choosing treatment
- Start all-trans retinoic acid immediately when suspected
- ATRA + arsenic trioxide cures most standard-risk APL
Treatment options
- Higher-risk disease may add cytoreductive therapy
Monitoring / follow-up
- Monitor/treat differentiation syndrome
- Aggressively support coagulopathy
Self-check
- What should start immediately when APL is suspected?
All-trans retinoic acid. - Why is APL an emergency?
DIC can be fatal.
Drugs used for this (1)
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