Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) treatment

As well as active treatment for your illness, you’ll need other treatments to support your body through some of the problems caused by APL and its treatment. Your healthcare team may refer to these treatments as ‘supportive care’.

Here are some examples of supportive care you might be offered.

You’ll need regular blood transfusions (blood that has been donated from someone else) to help your blood clot and lower your risk of bleeding. You will probably have these as soon as you doctor thinks you might have APL, until your blood can clot normally.

Treatment for APL can make you feel and be sick – though not everyone will experience this. If you do, there are anti-sickness drugs (also called anti-emetics) that can help. Find out more about coping with feeling and being sick.

Because APL affects your immune system, you’ll be at greater risk of catching infections. Find out more about managing infections and reducing your risk.