Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia or chronic myeloid leukemia in lymphoid blast crisis

The clinical characteristics of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in lymphoid blast crisis (BC) can resemble those of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Because of this, there can be concern as to whether a patient with newly diagnosed Ph+ leukemia has Ph+ ALL or CML in lymphoid BC. This distinction has significant potential therapeutic implications because most children with Ph+ ALL are now treated with chemotherapy plus a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, whereas allogeneic stem cell transplant is usually recommended for any patient with CML that presents in or later develops BC.