Abstract
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) constitutes about 15% of all acute myeloid leukemia
patients and can now be treated even without any chemotherapy, with all-trans-retinoic
acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a rare adverse
event in APL, which is primarily reported to be secondary to hypertriglyceridemia.
Here, we have reported AP developed in a patient of APL, during induction with ATRA
and ATO, but it was not associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Rather, it was associated
with respiratory distress and weight gain, coincidental leukocytosis, bilateral pleural
effusion, and edematous pancreatitis without any necrosis. Hence, AP in this case
is diagnosed to be a manifestation of differentiation syndrome, and it responded to
steroid.
Keywords
Acute promyelocytic leukemia - all-trans-retinoic acid - arsenic - differentiation
syndrome - pancreatitis