Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML, APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer of the white blood cells. [3] In APL, there is an abnormal accumulation of immature granulocytes called promyelocytes.

Jul 18, 2018 · Aspirate smears in APL Aspirate smears are notable for numerous leukemic hypergranular leukemic promyelocytes filled with stacks of Auer rods. Many of these leukemic cells often disintegrated with frequent extracellular Auer rods that may be seen.

Apr 2, 2024 · Peripheral blood smear: Providers may see high levels of granules or Auer rods inside promyelocytes, a specific type of white blood cell. Bone marrow biopsy: Providers order these to get samples of your bone marrow cells for analysis.

Oct 28, 2022 · In APL patients, peripheral blood smear usually shows reduced WBCs or leukopenia with circulating PMLs. These cells have plenty of irregular primary azurophilic granules.

Jun 26, 2023 · When acute promyelocytic leukemia is suspected, evaluation of peripheral blood smear and FISH for the fusion of PML/RARA should be expedited for rapid diagnosis of this time-sensitive disease.

Nov 21, 2024 · APL represents a medical emergency with a high rate of early mortality, often due to hemorrhage from a characteristic coagulopathy. It is critical to start treatment with a differentiation agent (eg, all-trans retinoic acid) without delay as soon as the diagnosis is suspected based on cytologic criteria, and even before definitive cytogenetic ...

An image from a bone marrow smear demonstrating numerous myeloid precursors arrested at the promyelocyte stage, and cells with bundles of auer rods known as faggot cells in acute promyelocytic leukemia. 50x oil immersion. From MLS Collection, University of Alberta, https://doi.org/10.7939/R3WH2DW4D

Acute promyelocytic anaemia is characterized by the presence of atypical promyelocytes and a t (15;17) translocation, resulting in a PML-RARA fusion. It is often associated with pancytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Both hypergranlar and hypogranular variants exist.

Dec 2, 2016 · Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a unique subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which presents with a distinct coagulopathy. Therapeutic advances have made APL one of the true success stories in oncology, transforming …

May 7, 2015 · APL cells have a very specific abnormality that involves chromosomes 15 and 17, leading to the formation of an abnormal fusion gene PML/RARα. This mutated gene causes many of the features of the disease. In APL, promyelocytes (immature white cells) are overproduced and accumulate in the bone marrow.