Impact of an Alert System on Quality Indicators in Patients With Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia.
BACKGROUND
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), once the most lethal form of adult acute leukemia, has become the most curable. The goal of early and well-managed treatment induction is to reduce the malignant burden of promyelocytes to below the cytologically detectable level.


OBJECTIVE
Oncology nurses who care for patients with APL need to be acutely aware of the basic differences in this disease from other forms of leukemia, including the two main complications for the newly diagnosed patient.


METHODS
This article will briefly review APL and its associated presenting symptoms, prognosis, treatment, and complications.


RESULTS
These complications require immediate activation of expert staff and resources to protect critically ill patients with APL from associated morbidity and mortality.
Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH.
Lisa M
LM
Blackburn
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Nicole
N
Bauchmire
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Sarah
S
Bender
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Kelly
K
Tomlinson-Pinkham
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Scott
S
Roberts
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Sherry
S
Rosan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
acute promyelocytic leukemia; all-trans retinoic acid; differentiation syndrome; disseminated intravascular coagulation; fibrinogen