Treatment related acute promyelocytic leukemia (t-APML) in breast cancer survivor treated with anthracycline based chemotherapy: rare case report

Treatment related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is well documented phenomenon after chemotherapy. In this subgroup of patients acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) due to delayed complication of using anthracycline is very rare occurrence. Very few cases are reported in world literature. We are reporting a rare case of occurrence of t-APML in cured breast cancer patient treated with doxorubicin. 43 year old female presented with triple negative early breast cancer treated initially with Right modified radical mastectomy. Pathological staging was pT2N0M0. She was treated with 6 cycle of adjuvant AC (Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide). After latent period of 23 months she developed symptoms of fever, weakness and generalized body ache. On further investigation she was found to have acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML). We had successfully treated t-APML with conventional 7+3 induction and subsequent consolidation with ATRA (All Trans Retinoic Acid) and arsenic trioxide. Patient was given maintenance treatment for 18 months after confirming negative PML RARA by RT PCR and declared cured. Patient is under regular surveillance in our centre.