Management of Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia During COVID-19 Hospitalization: A Teaching Case

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the dysregulated production and uncontrolled proliferation of mature and maturing granulocytes. CML has the potential to cause secondary immunodeficiency in affected patients. COVID-19 infection has been associated with worse outcomes in immunocompromised patients, including patients with hematologic cancers, requiring hospitalization. Herein we present a 61-year-old male with known COVID-19 infection who presented for the evaluation of acute hypoxic respiratory failure and was found to have marked leukocytosis of 125,000. The patient was eventually diagnosed with CML, and his respiratory failure resolved with conventional COVID-19 pneumonia treatment. With this case report, we hope to assist clinicians in the workup of marked leukocytosis in the setting of COVID-19 pneumonia and aim to help clinicians in the management of patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia and concomitant CML.