Chronic myelogenous leukemia

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Chronic myeloid leukaemia)

bcrablmet
Schematic of the Philadelphia Chromosome
Diagram showing which cells CML can start in CRUK 388.svg
LMC4
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia smear 2009-04-09
Hypolobated small megakaryocyte

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), also known as chronic myeloid leukemia, is a type of cancer that originates in the bone marrow and results in the overproduction of white blood cells. It is a form of leukemia, which is a group of cancers that typically begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells.

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

CML is characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome, a specific genetic abnormality in chromosome 22 of human cells. This abnormality is a result of a translocation between chromosome 9 and chromosome 22, which creates the BCR-ABL fusion gene. The BCR-ABL gene produces a protein with tyrosine kinase activity that leads to uncontrolled cell division.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Common symptoms of CML include:

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

CML is typically diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, and cytogenetic analysis. The presence of the Philadelphia chromosome is a key diagnostic marker.

Stages[edit | edit source]

CML progresses through three phases:

  • Chronic phase: The disease progresses slowly and patients may have mild symptoms.
  • Accelerated phase: The disease progresses more rapidly and symptoms become more severe.
  • Blast crisis: The disease behaves like an acute leukemia with rapid progression and severe symptoms.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment options for CML include:

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

The prognosis for CML has improved significantly with the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Many patients achieve long-term remission and have a normal life expectancy.

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

CML accounts for about 15-20% of all cases of adult leukemia. It is more common in older adults, with the median age at diagnosis being around 65 years.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD