acute promyelocytic leukemia

Definition of acute promyelocytic leukemia

acute promyelocytic leukemia

(uh-KYOOT proh-MY-eh-loh-SIH-tik loo-KEE-mee-uh)
An aggressive (fast-growing) type of acute myeloid leukemia in which there are too many immature blood-forming cells in the blood and bone marrow. It is usually marked by an exchange of parts of chromosomes 15 and 17. Also called APL and promyelocytic leukemia.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms