Author/Authors :
Ibrahim, F.A. Al-Amal Hospital - Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Qatar , Yassin, M.A. Al-Amal Hospital - Department of Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Qatar , El-Ayoubi, H.R. Al-Amal Hospital - Department of Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Qatar , Alhijji, I.A. Al-Amal Hospital - Department of Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Qatar , Albinali, A.S. Al-Amal Hospital - Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Qatar , Almansour, S.M. Al-Amal Hospital - Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Qatar , Qafoud, F.M. Al-Amal Hospital - Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Qatar
Abstract :
This cases series describes the profile of adult patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) at a referral hospital in Qatar. Of 34 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cases diagnosed, 11 (32%) were classified as APL. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was common at presentation (91%). Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in 73%, leukocytosis in 55% and severe anaemia in 45%. Only 2 patients were of the classic hypergranular type. In the remaining 9 patients, 3 morphological subtypes were recognized: microgranular variant (6 patients), hyperbasophilic (2 patients) and regular nuclear outline M3r (1 patient). Translocation t(15;17) was detected in 63% of cases. APL constitutes a high proportion of AML cases in Qatar, with considerable morphological heterogeneity and a predominance of APL variants with unfavourable presenting features.
