Management of chronic myelocytic leukemia in pregnancy by cell pheresis.

Cell pheresis was employed in the initial management of a pregnant patient with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). Reduction in circulating leukocyte and platelet counts was evident after two weeks of therapy. This technique is an effective mode of management of the pregnant patient with CML and may play an important therapeutic role in the treatment of other myeloproliferative diseases characterized by dangerously high levels of circulating platelets or myeloblasts.