Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Presenting in the Blastic Phase and Its Association With a 45 XO Ph ’ Karyotype

A 58-yr-old male patient presented in the be differentiated by the presence of the blastic phase of chronic myelogenous IeuPh’ chromosome and the stigmata of CML. kemia (CML) . Cytogenetic studies revealed Absence of the Y chromosome from the a 45 XO Ph’ chromosome pattern in bone bone marrow in CML is a recently demarrow cells during a short remission and scribed finding. Previous reports indicating again in the blastic phase of the disease. the prevention of the blastic phase in paThe patient expired 8 mo following diagtients with this karyotype could not be nosis. The blastic phase of CML can simuconfirmed by our or other recently reported late acute myelogenous leukemia ( AML) cases. clinically and hematologically; CML can T HE PHILADELPHIA CHROMOSOME represents a marker in most cases ofCML.’3 Cases ofCML without the Ph’ chromosome are characterized by a more severe course and reduced median survival.4 A third subgroup, i.e., CML associated with a 45 XO Ph’ karyotype has recently been reported.5 The present report concerns a case of CML presenting in the blastic phase and its association with a 45 XO Ph’ karyotype.