Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
What is Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia?
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, also called CML, is a type of cancer that affects your blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside your bones where new blood cells are made. In CML, your bone marrow produces too many white blood cells that do not work properly. These abnormal cells crowd out healthy blood cells over time.
CML develops slowly in most people, which is why it is called chronic. It usually affects adults, with most people diagnosed in their 60s. The condition happens when a genetic change occurs in blood stem cells. This change creates what doctors call the Philadelphia chromosome. About 90% of people with CML have this abnormal chromosome.
Unlike acute leukemia that progresses quickly, CML often develops over months or years. Many people feel fine when they are first diagnosed. The condition has three phases that range from slow growing to more aggressive. Early detection through blood tests can help doctors start treatment before the disease advances.
Symptoms
- Fatigue and weakness that does not improve with rest
- Unexplained weight loss over weeks or months
- Night sweats that soak your sheets
- Fever without an obvious infection
- Pain or fullness below the ribs on the left side
- Bone pain or joint pain
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Frequent infections
- Feeling full after eating small amounts
- Pale skin or shortness of breath
Many people with CML have no symptoms in the early stages. The condition is often discovered during routine blood work done for other reasons. Symptoms typically appear as abnormal white blood cells build up in your body. Some people live with CML for months before noticing any changes in how they feel.
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Causes and risk factors
CML happens when DNA damage occurs in blood stem cells within your bone marrow. This damage creates an abnormal chromosome called the Philadelphia chromosome. The chromosome forms when two chromosomes swap genetic material. This swap creates a new gene that tells your body to make too many white blood cells. The exact reason this genetic change happens is not fully understood.
Unlike some cancers, CML is not passed down from parents to children. The genetic change happens during your lifetime, not at birth. Age is the biggest risk factor, with most cases occurring in people over 60. Exposure to very high doses of radiation may increase risk. Men develop CML slightly more often than women. Having a family history of CML does not increase your risk because the condition is not inherited.
How it's diagnosed
CML is most often found through blood tests that show unusually high white blood cell counts. A complete blood count may reveal elevated myelocytes, which are immature white blood cells that typically stay in your bone marrow. Finding these cells in your blood can be an early warning sign. Rite Aid offers testing that includes myelocyte measurement as part of our flagship panel, making it easier to catch potential issues early.
If blood tests suggest CML, your doctor will order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. A bone marrow biopsy examines cells from inside your bone to look for the Philadelphia chromosome. Genetic testing can identify the specific gene change that causes CML. These specialized tests help doctors determine which phase of CML you have and plan the best treatment approach. Regular blood monitoring helps track how well treatment is working over time.
Treatment options
- Targeted therapy drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors that block the abnormal protein causing cancer cell growth
- Regular blood tests every 3 months to monitor treatment response and cell counts
- Bone marrow transplant for people who do not respond to medication or have advanced disease
- Chemotherapy in some cases, particularly if the disease progresses to advanced phases
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein to support your immune system
- Getting enough rest and managing fatigue with gentle exercise when possible
- Avoiding infections by washing hands frequently and staying away from sick people
- Working closely with a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in blood disorders
- Joining support groups to connect with others managing CML
Concerned about Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Chronic leukemia like CML develops slowly over months or years, while acute leukemia progresses rapidly over days or weeks. People with chronic leukemia often feel well for a long time and may have no symptoms when first diagnosed. Acute leukemia typically causes severe symptoms quickly and requires immediate treatment. CML specifically affects myeloid cells, a type of white blood cell.
Yes, blood tests often find CML before any symptoms develop. A routine complete blood count may show unusually high white blood cell counts or the presence of myelocytes in your blood. Myelocytes are immature white blood cells that normally stay in bone marrow. Finding them in your bloodstream can indicate CML or other blood conditions that need further testing.
Modern targeted therapies have made CML a manageable chronic condition for most people. Many patients live normal lifespans when taking daily medication that controls the disease. A bone marrow transplant offers the only potential cure, but it carries significant risks. Most doctors recommend transplant only when medication stops working or for younger patients in certain situations.
Most people with CML need blood tests every 3 months during the first year of treatment. Your doctor checks white blood cell counts and looks for signs that medication is working. Testing frequency may decrease to every 6 months once the disease is well controlled. Regular monitoring helps catch any changes early so your doctor can adjust treatment if needed.
Focus on eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support your immune system. Foods rich in antioxidants like berries, leafy greens, and nuts may help your body manage inflammation. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Some CML medications interact with grapefruit, so ask your doctor about any foods to avoid with your specific treatment.
No, stress and lifestyle choices do not cause CML. The condition results from a spontaneous genetic change in bone marrow cells. This change is not caused by anything you did or did not do. Very high radiation exposure may increase risk, but most people with CML have no identifiable cause. The genetic change happens by chance and is not inherited from your parents.
Most people taking targeted therapy drugs for CML do not lose their hair. These medications work differently than traditional chemotherapy and typically cause milder side effects. Some people notice their hair becomes thinner or grows more slowly. If you need chemotherapy for advanced CML, hair loss may occur but hair usually grows back after treatment ends.
Many people with CML continue working and maintaining their normal activities. Targeted therapy drugs control the disease while causing manageable side effects for most patients. You may need to adjust your schedule around doctor appointments and rest when feeling fatigued. Talk openly with your employer about any accommodations you might need, such as flexible hours for medical visits.
Stopping medication allows CML to start growing again, often within weeks or months. The disease can progress from the chronic phase to more aggressive phases that are harder to treat. Never stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor first. If side effects bother you, your doctor may adjust the dose or switch you to a different medication that works better for you.
Warning signs include new or worsening fatigue, fever, bone pain, or an enlarged spleen causing abdominal discomfort. Increasing bruising or bleeding may indicate dropping platelet counts. More frequent infections suggest your immune system is weakening. Contact your doctor right away if you notice these changes, as they may mean the disease is progressing to a more advanced phase.