Extramedullary T cell lymphoblastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia successfully treated with matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2000 Nov;26(10):1111-2. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1702665.

Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) inevitably terminates in blast crisis (BC) which is of myeloid phenotype in approximately two-thirds and B-lymphoid in one-third of patients. T cell BC is rare and associated with poor prognosis. We describe the case of a 48-year-old woman with extramedullary T cell lymphoblastic transformation. After treatment with combination chemotherapy she achieved a second chronic phase and underwent an allogeneic BMT from an HLA-matched unrelated donor. At 30 months follow-up she is still in complete molecular remission and in good clinical condition. We conclude that unrelated donor BMT should be considered as a therapeutic option for patients with extramedullary BC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blast Crisis / therapy*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology*