Question

A 56-year-old man presents with dragging pain in the abdomen. On examination, there is massive splenomegaly. Peripheral smear shows leukocytesis with increased myelocytes, metamyelocytes and basophils. Which of the following translocations is seen in this condition? 

• A. t(9;22)
• B. t(8;22)
• C. t(15;17)
• D. t(8;14)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The patient, a 56-year-old man, presents with symptoms indicative of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The key elements from the case are:

• Dragging pain in the abdomen.
• Massive splenomegaly observed on examination.
• Peripheral blood smear showing leukocytosis with increased myelocytes, metamyelocytes, and basophils.

These characteristics align with the classic presentation of CML.

The question asks for the specific chromosomal translocation associated with this condition. CML is typically associated with the Philadelphia chromosome, which results from a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22. This translocation, referred to as t(9;22), results in the formation of the BCR-ABL fusion gene, leading to the uncontrolled proliferation of myeloid cells.

Thus, the correct translocation for this clinical scenario is:

t(9;22)