promyelocytic leukemia

Definition of promyelocytic leukemia

promyelocytic leukemia

(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 acute promyelocytic leukemia and APL.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms