Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) is a type of cancer that affects primarily the blood and bone marrow. In CML the bone marrow produces too many white cells, particularly granulocytes. These cells interfere with normal blood cell production.

Furthermore, granulocytes are not fully mature, hence they are unable to work properly to fight infections (1).

Most people with CML have a gene mutation (change) called “Philadelphia chromosome”. “Philadelphia chromosome” is an abnormal chromosome that is made when pieces of chromosomes 9 and 22 break off and trade places. This gene mutation leads to the formation of BCR-ABL fusion gene and as a result too many stem cells become white blood cells (2).

CML is a chronic disease, that is classified into 3 phases. The phases are based mainly on the number of immature white blood cells in the blood or bone marrow. These phases are the following: Chronic Phase, Accelerated Phase and Blast Phase (3).

Common symptoms of CML are fatigue, weakness, weight loss, bone pain, fever, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia (4).

CML is a type of leukaemia. Based on official data, a total of 1.938 leukaemia new cases were diagnosed and 1.357 leukaemia deaths were reported in Greece, in 2022 (5). Based on literature data, about 15% of all new cases of leukemia are chronic myelogenous leukemia (6).

Diagnosis is performed by specialized physicians. Diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukaemia may require examinations, such as blood test and bone marrow biopsy (1). Physicians evaluate the condition of patients. Treatment decisions are made by specialized physicians.