The value of leukapheresis for treatment of priapism as presenting feature of chronic myeloid leukemia—Case report and review of literature

Priapism is a rare presenting feature of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in male patients. Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and to prevent erectile dysfunction. Several treatment modalities exist, however no standard treatment is recommended. We evaluated literature concerning different treatment approaches and evaluate the value of leukapheresis in treatment of priapism. The literature search resulted in 57 included articles, consisting of 53 studied patients. Patients had a mean age of 25.3 years, average time from onset to presentation at the hospital was 2 days, and mean white blood cell (WBC) count was 344 × 10(9)/L. Most patients (67.9%) were treated with a combined approach (different modalities were radiological, urological, and oncological treatment). Twelve patients, with a mean WBC count of 365 × 10(9)/L, received leukapheresis. Only two of them reported erectile dysfunction after treatment. Priapism is an urological emergency requiring urgent multidisciplinary treatment. We highlight the importance of local urological therapy combined with systemic therapy for CML. Therapeutic leukapheresis should be applied when available and with no other contraindications.