Understanding Acute myeloid / promyelocytic leukemia (AML / APL): Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Acute myeloid / promyelocytic leukemia (AML / APL)

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

-**AML**: A rapidly progressing blood and bone marrow cancer affecting the myeloid line of blood cells, disrupting normal blood cell production. Common in adults, AML leads to an excess of immature white cells and interrupts the production of various blood cell types. - **APL**: A subtype of AML, constituting less than 10% of AML cases. It is more treatable and is characterized by a specific gene marker. APL also stops normal blood cell production but is distinguished by its unique features and treatment response.

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Signs & symptoms

Symptoms include persistent fatigue, unexplained fever, frequent infections, and easy bruising or bleeding. AML and APL symptoms develop rapidly, necessitating immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves complete blood count (CBC) tests and bone marrow biopsies. Additional cytogenetic analysis is often required to identify chromosomal abnormalities or the presence of a specific gene marker that is critical for identifying and effectively treating APL.

Treatment

- **AML**: Treatment generally begins with chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells, followed by possible targeted therapy. Stem cell transplantation may be considered for certain cases. The approach varies based on the patient's specific AML characteristics and response to initial treatment. Supportive care is essential to manage symptoms and treatment side effects. Prognosis varies based on factors such as age, overall health, and specific genetic mutations. While some patients achieve complete remission with treatment, others may face challenges due to the aggressive nature of the disease, emphasizing the importance of novel personalized therapeutic research. - **APL**: Characterized by high recovery rates, APL is effectively treated with specific drugs, distinct from the general chemotherapy used for AML. The treatment approach for APL is more specialized due to its unique clinical features and gene markers.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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