chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) blast crisis

Pathology

• myelofibrosis
• cytogenetic abnormalities precede blast crisis by 6 months

Genetics

• duplication of Philadelphia chromosome may occur
• trisomy 8 may occur
• other implicated genes CDCA7

Clinical manifestations

• splenomegaly
• lymphadenopathy
• bone pain
• fever
• headache

Laboratory

• blast count > 20%
• increase in anemia
• thrombocytopenia
• basophilia

Complications

cerebral hemorrhage

Management

• allopurinol
• fluids
• hydroxyurea
• cranial radiation
• leukocyte apheresis
• often resistant to chemotherapy

More general terms

• acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Patient information

CML blast crisis patient information