The hallmark of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) which is caused by a translocation of the c-abl gene from chromosome 9 to the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) on chromosome 22. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used to detect the chimeric bcr/c-abl mRNA as evidence of the translocation. We applied a very simple and quick method of isolating cytoplasmic RNA, as well as reverse transcription and PCR in detecting bcr/c-abl mRNA of seven CML patients in various stages. Our results showed that only a small amount of either peripheral blood or bone marrow material was required for the expression of the bcr/c-abl mRNA. This is a very fast and time-saving method since a one-step method of cytoplasmic RNA isolation is used instead of the several steps in total RNA isolation as published in other literature.