Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL)
When blood cancer occurs, mutated cells spread throughout the body and enter the internal organs, lymph, causing a malfunction in their functions. This pathology is extremely dangerous and leads to death without proper treatment. Tel Aviv Medical Clinic, a leading Israeli clinic, successfully tackles this problem. In 90% of cases, it is possible to achieve remission of the disease, and in 78% it was possible to significantly improve the quality of life of patients at the last stage of pathology. Thanks to the modern equipment of the department of haematology, doctors use cutting-edge methods of treating acute monocytic leukaemia. Our oncologists use an integrated approach to therapy that is most effective. It is worth noting that our clinic has created comfortable conditions for a speedy recovery and stay.
Causes of the disease
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia is a variant of acute myeloid leukaemia, which is characterized by abnormal accumulation of one of the types of myeloid cells – promyelocytes. In turn, promyelocytes (are granulocyte precursor cells that arise at one of the stages of their maturation. APL accounts for about 10% of all cases of acute myeloid leukaemia. Unlike many other variants of acute myeloid leukaemia, APL often occurs not in the elderly, but in young adults: the average age of patients at the time of diagnosis is about 40 years. However, APL can occur at any age, including children.
The main factors that increase the risk of pathology are:
- treatment of other oncological ailments using chemotherapy and radiation;
- abuse of alcoholic beverages and smoking;
- work with toxic substances;
- exposure to radiation;
- presence of other blood diseases;
- the age of the patient;
- genetic syndromes.
To make the correct diagnosis, you need to consult a specialist.
Diagnosis of the disease
The main diagnostic parameter is a blood test. It shows the quality and degree of distribution of blood cells in the body. Further, the specialist proceeds to study the state of internal organs, using ultrasound, X-ray, MRI and CT. The appointment of a pathology therapy regimen will depend on the specific type and severity of the disease, the condition and age of the patient. Various medications are often used as treatment. In case of relapse or lack of effectiveness of conventional therapy, autologous or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation can be used.