Priapism as the Initial Presentation in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Is a Red Flag Sign

Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder of the hemopoietic stem cells, which may occasionally present with symptoms of leukostasis secondary to hyperleukocytosis, which includes headache, priapism, and dreaded ones such as stroke and myocardial infarction. This is a case of a 23-year-old man who presented with priapism and was subsequently found to have CML. The patient later developed stroke and succumbed to it. This case demonstrates that the importance of treating CML patients presenting with signs of hyperleukocytosis promptly and cautiously to prevent the impending grievous complications.