Blast crisis
Blast Crisis
Blast crisis (pronounced: /blæst/ /ˈkraɪsɪs/) is a phase in the progression of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), where the disease rapidly accelerates.
Etymology
The term "blast crisis" is derived from the word "blast", referring to immature cells, and "crisis", indicating a critical phase or condition.
Definition
Blast crisis is defined as the presence of greater than 20% blast cells in the blood or bone marrow. It is a critical phase in the progression of CML, characterized by rapid increase in the number of immature white blood cells (blasts) in the blood and bone marrow, leading to a decrease in the number of healthy blood cells.
Symptoms
Symptoms of blast crisis may include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, and bleeding. Other symptoms may include pain or a feeling of fullness below the ribs due to an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of blast crisis is typically made through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which can show an increase in the number of blast cells. A bone marrow biopsy may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment for blast crisis often involves chemotherapy to kill the blast cells. Other treatments may include targeted therapy, stem cell transplant, or supportive care to manage symptoms.
Related Terms
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
- Blast cells
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Splenomegaly
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Stem cell transplant
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blast crisis
- Wikipedia's article - Blast crisis
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