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Respiratory failure during induction chemotherapy for acute myelomonocytic leukaemia (FAB M4Eo) with Ara‐C and all‐ trans retinoic acid
Author(s) -
Lester W. A.,
Hull D. R.,
Fegan C. D.,
Morris T. C. M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2000.02043.x
Subject(s) - chest radiograph , medicine , acute myelomonocytic leukemia , respiratory failure , retinoic acid , chemotherapy , myeloid leukaemia , myeloid , respiratory system , induction chemotherapy , immunology , gastroenterology , lung , bone marrow , biology , cell culture , genetics
We report two cases of acute myeloid leukaemia FAB classification M4Eo with high white cell counts at presentation, who developed acute respiratory failure with pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph soon after commencing conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy plus all‐ trans retinoic acid (ATRA). We suggest that in patients with M4Eo ATRA should be used with caution, perhaps delaying its commencement until the white cell count is < 10 x 10 9 /l.