Recognize and Act on Blast Crisis

Blast crisis is a significant oncologic emergency characterized by over 20% immature white blood cells, leading to severe end organ damage. Predominantly seen in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a form of leukemia affecting approximately 20% of adults, typically around age 50, blast crisis indicates disease progression. Around 90% of CML patients remain in a chronic phase, while up to 10% may transition to an accelerated phase with 10-20% blasts. Prompt recognition and understanding of blast crisis are crucial for timely intervention.