HEALTH TIPS FOR DISEASE PREVENTION &BETTER HEALTH

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (also called chronic myeloid leukemia) is a rare cancer that affects bone marrow. That's where blood cells are produced. CML leads to the production of many abnormal white blood cells, which can’t fight infection as well as normal white blood cells. As they build up in the blood and bone marrow, the abnormal cells crowd out healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

The Philadelphia Chromosome

People with CML have an abnormal chromosome called the Philadelphia chromosome. Chromosomes carry genes, which tell cells what to do. In CML, pieces of chromosomes 9 and 22 break and switch places. The changed chromosome 22 is called the Philadelphia chromosome. It carries a new gene called bcr-abl. Bcr-abl calls for a protein (tyrosine kinase) to be made, triggering stem cells to create abnormal white blood cells found in CML.

CML Phases: Chronic Phase

The chronic phase is the first stage of CML. Most people in this phase don't have any symptoms. They're usually diagnosed during a routine blood test. Because there are only a small number of abnormal white blood cells in the blood and bone marrow, the body is still able to fight infection. Even though you might not feel sick now, it's important to get treated so CML doesn't progress to the next phase.

CML Accelerated Phase

During the accelerated phase, you may develop symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, shortness of breath, or fever. This means the number of abnormal while blood cells has increased. Once in this phase, it may become harder to achieve remission with CML treatments. The accelerated CML phase can lead to the most serious and aggressive phase of the cancer, blast phase.

CML Blast Phase

By the blast phase of CML, the number of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and blood is high. Meanwhile, the number of healthy red and white blood cells and platelets has dropped. With fewer disease-fighting white blood cells, you're more likely to get infections. You may have anemia or uncontrolled bleeding. This stage is severe and life-threatening.