ABSTRACT
This cases series describes the profile of adult patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia [APL] at a referral hospital in Qatar of 34 acute myeloid leukaemia [AML] cases diagnosed, 11 [32%] were classified as APL. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was common at presentation [91%]. Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in 73%, leukocytosis in 55% and severe anaemia in 45%. Only 2 patients were of the classic hypergranular type. In the remaining 9 patients, 3 morphological subtypes were recognized: microgranular variant [6 patients], hyperbasophilic [2 patients] and regular nuclear outline M3r [1 patient]. Translocation t[15;17] was detected in 63% of cases. APL constitutes a high proportion of AML cases in Qatar, with considerable morphological heterogeneity and a predominance of APL variants with unfavourable presenting features