Professional
Technical
IVT
blast crisis
An acute transformation of chronic myeloid leukemia characterized by increased immature blood cells and resembling acute leukemia.
Full Definition
Blast crisis represents the terminal phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), characterized by the presence of 20% or more blasts in the blood or bone marrow. This transformation from the chronic phase represents an acceleration of the disease process and carries a poor prognosis. Blast crisis can be either myeloid or lymphoid in nature and requires immediate intensive treatment similar to acute leukemia protocols. The condition typically occurs in patients with inadequately controlled chronic phase disease.
Usage
Usage note: Two words, not hyphenated; distinguish from 'accelerated phase' which has 10-19% blasts.
In Context
- "The patient progressed to blast crisis despite tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy." — Clinical progression note
- "Blast crisis was confirmed with 35% myeloblasts in the peripheral blood." — Laboratory findings
Also known as
blastic transformation
acute transformation
Contrasted with
chronic phase
accelerated phase
Don't confuse with
accelerated phase
blast phase