Variant translocations are rare in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) and areseen only in about 1–2% of cases .Here we describe a novel variant translocation (17;17)(q12;q21) in an 18 month old child with APML and its implications in planninghis course of therapy. This variant translocation case report highlights the importance of Karyotyping for both diagnosisand prognosis in APML.