[Initial management of acute leukemia and its complications]

Acute leukemias are rare diseases requiring emergency specialized hematological care. However, other specialists may be involved: general practitioners, emergency physicians, internists and intensivists most often. The initial phase of the management of acute leukemia can be marked by the occurrence of complications with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The aim of this article is to guide the clinician when facing a suspected acute leukemia for the diagnosis and management of complications that may occur in the first hours. The article reviews the initial assessment, the diagnostic approach and the management of the initial complications of acute leukemia, such as DIC, tumor lysis syndrome, leukostasis syndrome and febrile agranulocytosis, whose outcome is fundamental for the prognosis.