In blast crisis about two-thirds of cases, CML transforms into a disease resembling acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The remainder transforms into a disease resembling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

What is the difference between AML and CML?

AML and CML are blood and bone marrow cancers that affect the same lines of white blood cells. AML comes on suddenly as very immature cells crowd out normal cells in the bone marrow. CML comes on more slowly, with the CML cells growing out of control.

Can CML turn into acute?

In time, the cells can also settle in other parts of the body, including the spleen. CML is a fairly slow growing leukemia, but it can change into a fast-growing acute leukemia that's hard to treat. CML occurs mostly in adults, but very rarely it occurs in children, too.