acute promyelocytic leukemia (AProL, APL), a malignancy of the blood-forming tissues, characterized by the proliferation of promyelocytes and blast cells with distinctive Auer rods. Symptoms include severe bleeding and bruises. The patient may also have a low fibrinogen level and platelet count. Management of the disease typically requires replacement of coagulation factors and administration of cytotoxic drugs. See also leukemia.
