De Novo Philadelphia Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Extensive Basophilia: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Basophilia in peripheral blood as well as bone marrow is an unusual finding, seen in certain reactive and neoplastic conditions. Amongst the malignant hematological diseases, it is a diagnostic hall mark of chronic myeloproliferative disorders, particularly, chronic myeloid leukemia. Basophilia may also be seen in cases acute myeloid leukemia, particularly FAB AML M2 and M4. Here we document an interesting case of de novo acute myeloid leukemia which had extensive peripheral blood and bone marrow basophilia. Molecular analysis revealed p190, bcr–abl fusion transcript. A short clinical course, absence of organomegaly and features suggestive of an underlying myeloproliferative disorder, aided in establishing a diagnosis of Philadelphia positive de novo acute myeloid leukemia.