Acute basophilic leukemia is a rare form of acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia , also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. AML is the most common acute...

 where blasts are accompanied by abnormal basophils in all stages of differentiation. It would most likely be classified as M0 without electron microscopic confirmation of basophil lineage.

Presentation

Differentiated (basophilic granules by light microscopy) and poorly differentiated cases ; Majority are poorly differentiated. MPO negative by light microscopy; granules positive in a speckled pattern by electron microscopy. Myeloid antigens are expressed. Diagnosis of poorly differentiated cases made by electron microscopy. May manifest basophil and mast cell granules by EM. Cytogeneticcally heterogeneous but frequently associated with Philadelphia chromosome

Philadelphia chromosome

Philadelphia chromosome or Philadelphia translocation is a specific chromosomal abnormality that is associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia . It is the result of a reciprocal translocation between chromosome 9 and 22, and is specifically designated t...

. There is no clinically distinguishing features but may be more common in children and young adults and carry a poor prognosis.