Also referred to as chronic granulocytic leukemia

Is one of the 4 major types of leukemia

The other major types of Leukemia are:

1.) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

2.) Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

3.) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

CML is when there is a large and often uncontainable growth of myeloid cells in the bone marrow

Concern occurs because these cells can over-grow the normal blood cells.

This disease starts with the stem cells that produce a group of cells such as basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils.

Therefore classified as a “myeloproliferative disease”

Symptoms

- Typically no symptoms are found until later in staging
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Increased infections
- Increased bruising
- Enlargement of spleen

Cause:

- Genetic

Classifications

1.)   Chronic phase

- Most patients are in this phase at the time of diagnosis
- Usually no symptoms
- This stage lasts for an unknown amount of time and is different for each individual
- The progression of this stage to another stage will occur without treatment

2.)   Accelerated phase

- When any of the below are found:
- 10-19% myeloblasts are found in bone marrow or blood
- 20% or more of basophils
- Platelets drop below 100,000 – unrelated to treatment
- Platelets increase to over 1,000,000 – treatment not helpful
- Change in spleen size
- Large change in white blood count

3.)   Blast crisis

- This is the final stages
- This transition changes from a chronic progression to an acute leukemia
- Blasts [large amount] are found in the bone marrow
- Chloroma formation – Leukemia mass or area is found outside bone marrow
- 20% plus myeloblasts or lymphoblasts

Blood work is often important in diagnosis

Bone marrow biopsy is helpful but additonal tests are required for a specific diagnosis

Treatment

Chronic Phase:

Main form of treatment

Tyrosine Kinase -

.          Imatinib mesylate (STI-571, Gleevec, Glivec)

Other newer options

.         Dasatinib
.         Nilotinib

Bone marrow transplants

Other possible but older treatment options

Antimetabolites

.
.          Hydroxyurea

Alkylating Agents

Interferon alfa 2b

Steroids