What are the clinical implications of finding Auer Rods?
The clinical implications of finding Auer rods in a patient's blood or bone marrow sample are significant. Their presence almost always indicates a myeloid lineage malignancy, most commonly AML. This finding necessitates further diagnostic workup, including cytogenetic and molecular studies, to determine the exact subtype of AML and to guide therapeutic decisions. The presence of Auer rods can also provide prognostic information; for example, APL with Auer rods often has a better prognosis with prompt and appropriate treatment.
