Frequently asked questions about APL
As a patient living with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), you may have questions about your
condition. Here, you can find the answers to some common questions about APL. Knowledge is power.
The more you know about APL, the more empowered you will be in your fight against it.
- What is leukemia?
- Is there more than one type of leukemia?
- What is APL?
- What are the symptoms of APL?
- How is APL diagnosed?
- How is APL initially treated?
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about APL:
- Leukemia is cancer that forms in the blood and bone marrow
- Leukemia occurs when the body produces too many immature blood cells that cannot carry out their normal functions and that block the production of normal mature blood cells
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There are four main types of leukemia:
- Chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL)
- Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
Chronic leukemias typically progress more slowly than acute leukemias.
Doctors may also perform tests to classify leukemias into smaller groups, or subtypes, to devise a unique treatment plan that will work best for a particular leukemia.
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- Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
- It occurs when the body produces too many immature blood cells known as promyelocytes, which cannot carry out their normal functions and which block the production of normal mature blood cells
- APL is diagnosed in about 1,500 patients each year, up to 30% of whom relapse after initial therapy
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The symptoms of APL include:
- Feeling tired or short of breath
- Pale complexion from anemia
- Mild fever or swollen gums
- Slow healing of cuts or frequent minor infections
- Discomfort in bones or joints
- Bruising easily and bleeding
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- A doctor examines blood cells with a test called a complete blood count
- If the results are abnormal, the doctor or nurse may talk to you about a bone marrow biopsy
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For most patients, the initial course of treatment for APL is a form of vitamin A called
all-
trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with chemotherapy.
- Up to 90% of patients typically respond to ATRA-based chemotherapy
- Up to 30% of patients who respond to ATRA-based chemotherapy still may experience a relapse
For these patients who do not respond or experience a relapse, there is another option.
TRISENOX
® (arsenic trioxide) injection is an anticancer drug proven effective in patients
with relapsed or refractory APL.
>> Click here to learn more about TRISENOX.
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