A physician strongly suspects CML in a patient and has already ordered a bone marrow differential and cytogenetic analysis for the Philadelphia chromosome. What other test would help confirm the CML picture for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Confirmatory testing for CML would include a molecular assay to detect the BCR/ABL1 fusion gene, which is characteristic of CML. The Philadelphia chromosome (detected by cytogenetic analysis) and bone marrow differential may suggest CML, but confirmation requires identification of the BCR/ABL1 fusion gene. Immunophenotyping with flow cytometry (choice B) may help to differentiate CML from other hematologic malignancies but is not confirmatory. Molecular testing for JAK2 kinase (choice A) is used to diagnose myeloproliferative neoplasms other than CML. PAS staining (choice D) can be used to identify abnormal blasts but is not specific for CML.

A Physician Strongly Suspects CML in a Patient and Has