Practice points, consensus, and controversial issues in the management of patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia

Recent reviews on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treatment have focused on comparing therapeutic approaches, including all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy, and do not address several other aspects of APL management that are relevant to the outcome in individual patients. These aspects include appropriate diagnostic tools and strategies, supportive care, recognition and treatment of life-threatening complications, evaluation of response, and, finally, management of the disease in special conditions such as older patients and pregnant women. In addition to reviewing current consensus and controversies of ATRA and chemotherapy treatment, this article addresses the above issues of APL management with special emphasis on aspects that distinguish APL from other acute myelogenous leukemias.