Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in a Patient With Sickle Cell Hemoglobin D Disease: A Case Report

Myeloid neoplasms can occur in patients with sickle cell disease; however, the underlying connection between the two remains unclear. These neoplasms, along with other cancers such as female breast cancer and male genital cancer, may arise de novo or secondarily due to chronic inflammation associated with sickling crises. This chronic inflammation, and its downstream effects, may lead to cytogenetic aberrations that increase the risk of developing myeloid neoplasms. Another potential risk factor is hydroxyurea, a medication commonly used to reduce the frequency of sickling crises, with some reported cases of associated myeloid malignancies. To explore this possible link, we present a case of acute promyelocytic leukemia in a patient with sickle cell hemoglobin D disease who had never received hydroxyurea.