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Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Diseases and Conditions Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Overview Types Causes & Risk Factors Symptoms Preventions Treatment
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Overview

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is a type of cancer that originates in the bone marrow and leads to an increased number of white blood cells in the blood. The term “chronic” indicates that this cancer progresses more slowly than other severe forms of leukemia. The term “myelogenous” refers to the type of cells affected by this cancer. CML typically affects older adults and rarely occurs in children, though it can occur at any age. With advances in treatment, the prognosis for people with CML has improved significantly. Most people can achieve remission and live for many years after diagnosis.

Types of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The main types are as follows:

  1. Chronic Phase: This is the initial phase where symptoms are usually mild and the number of mature white blood cells is relatively stable.
  2. Accelerated Phase: In this phase, the number of immature white blood cells (blasts) in the blood or bone marrow increases.
  3. Blast Phase (or Crisis Phase): This is the most severe phase where the number of blasts continues to increase, causing rapid deterioration of health.

Causes of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The exact cause of CML is unknown. However, it’s associated with an abnormal chromosome called the Philadelphia chromosome. This results from a mutation that involves the swapping of genetic material between chromosome 9 and 22.

Risk Factors of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

  1. Age: CML is more common in older adults.
  2. Gender: Men are slightly more likely to develop CML than women.
  3. Radiation Exposure: Exposure to high levels of radiation is a known risk factor.

Symptoms of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The few major symptoms are as following :
1. Fatigue: This is a common symptom due to the body’s energy being diverted to fight the disease.
2. Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss can occur as the body’s metabolism changes.
3. Night Sweats: These can occur due to hormonal imbalances caused by the disease.

Preventions of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

While there’s no known way to prevent CML, regular check-ups can help in early detection and treatment.

Diagnosis of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

  1. Blood Tests: These are used to measure the number of white blood cells.
  2. Bone Marrow Test: This test involves taking a sample of bone marrow to look for the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome.

Treatment for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

  1. Targeted Therapy: This involves drugs that specifically target cancer cells.
  2. Chemotherapy: This is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
  3. Stem Cell Transplant: This procedure replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow.

When to seek medical attention ?

If you experience unexplained fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, or other symptoms mentioned above, it’s important to consult a doctor.