Leukemias

Features of CLL Common features Features of CML
Age >50   Age >60
Lymphadenopathy   Splenomegaly
Commonest leukemia in US   Converts to blastic phase
  Pancytopenia  
  Immune dyscrasias  
  Bone marrow exam  
  Cytogenetics in case of difficulty with diagnosis Philadelphia chromosome (9-22 translocation)
Neutrophil alkaline phosphatase level = 0 or decreased (­ in leukemoid reaction)    
Treated with BMT in young  or alfa interferon in elderly without a donor or hydroxyurea    
Try to keep cells below 30 K