Acute promyelocytic leukemia during pregnancy: report of 3 cases

Int J Hematol. 2004 Jan;79(1):31-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02983530.

Abstract

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by onset at a young age and a life-threatening hemorrhagic diathesis, which is attributed to a disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)-like coagulopathy. The discovery of all-trans-retinoic acid has changed the course of APL treatment by reducing the onset of DIC and inducing a complete and durable remission in more than 90% of patients. The occurrence of APL during pregnancy is not a frequent event, but the management of these patients raises many therapeutic and ethical dilemmas and requires a careful clinical case evaluation of fetal and maternal risk, coagulation status, the parents' wishes, and therapeutic options. Here we describe 3 patients with APL diagnosed during pregnancy. Clinical data and the therapeutic approaches are presented. In the discussion, we analyze clinical decisions and therapeutic options and compare our cases with those found in the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / prevention & control
  • Abortion, Therapeutic
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Case Management
  • Cesarean Section
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Idarubicin / administration & dosage
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute* / diagnosis
  • Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute* / therapy
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic* / therapy
  • Remission Induction
  • Risk
  • Safety
  • Tretinoin / administration & dosage
  • Tretinoin / adverse effects
  • Tretinoin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Tretinoin
  • Idarubicin