It is associated with the t(15;17) translocation and the RARA gene.
On microscopy you look for faggots (=collections of auer rods):
The cells are strongly sudan black/peroxidase positive.
Acute promyelocytic leukaemia tends to present in young adults (average approx 25 yrs) and the presentation is often DIC.
Despite this sounding bad, acute promyelocytic leukaemia actually has a good prognosis.
Remission can be induce with all-trans retinoic acid.
Thats enough heavy-going haematology for one day... lets move on to angioid retinal streaks...
