Acute promyelocytic leukemia laboratory findings

Acute promyelocytic leukemia Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Acute promyelocytic leukemia from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Other Imaging Studies
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Interventions
Surgery
Primary PreventionSurgery
Secondary PreventionSurgery
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Acute promyelocytic leukemia laboratory findings On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Acute promyelocytic leukemia laboratory findings All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Acute promyelocytic leukemia laboratory findings
CDC on Acute promyelocytic leukemia laboratory findings
Acute promyelocytic leukemia laboratory findings in the news
Blogs on Acute promyelocytic leukemia laboratory findings
Directions to Hospitals Treating Acute promyelocytic leukemia
Risk calculators and risk factors for Acute promyelocytic leukemia laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2]

Laboratory Findings

• Anemia: Anemia refers to decreased red blood cell production, which results in low hemoglobin content in the peripheral blood. Hemoglobin values are typically less than 10 g/dl in most patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. The degree of anemia corresponds with the amount of bone marrow infiltration by leukemic cells. Patients with severe or advanced leukemia will usually have severe anemia. Severe anemia can result in profound fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath.
• Thrombocytopenia: Thrombocytopenia refers to low platelet count. The platelet count is usually less than 150,000 cells per microliter. Low platelet count in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia is typically due to two reasons. Firstly, leukemic cell infiltration in the bone marrow results in disruption of normal megakaryocyte production with decreased platelet production. Secondly, coagulopathy (disseminated intravascular coagulation) results in platelet consumption and therefore a low platelet count. This latter reason is unique to acute promyelocytic leukemia compared to other types of leukemia. The degree of thrombocytopenia also confers prognostic value in acute promyelocytic leukemia: platelet counts lower than 40,000 cells per microliter carries a worse prognosis than platelet counts greater than 40,000 cells per microliter.
• Leukopenia: Leukopenia refers to white blood cell count below 4,000 cells per microliter. Leukopenia is common in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, unlike most other types of leukemia. In some cases, however, patients can have high white blood cell counts, which confers a worse prognosis. White blood cell count above 10,000 cells per microliter defines high-risk disease.
• Hypofibrinogenemia: