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Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)

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Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a kind of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is a type of blood cancer. APL is a leukemia that can cause a life-threatening bleeding problem called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

APL is a problem with how blood cells grow at a certain point of development (the promyelocyte stage). They grow in odd shapes. And they cannot do what normal blood cells do.

Symptoms of APL include weakness and fatigue, fever, poor appetite, easy bruising or bleeding, and weight loss.

People with APL need a special mix of cancer treatments that fight the cancer cell growth and control the risk of life-threatening bleeding.

This type of acute leukemia tends to have a better outcome than other types of AML.

Current as of: October 25, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: October 25, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.