accelerated phase Chronic myelogenous leukemia

Accelerated Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML, is a slow-growing type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is caused by an uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells. It is a common type of leukemia that usually affects adults, most commonly those over the age of 60.

In accelerated phase CML, white blood cell counts rise rapidly and symptoms of the disease appear in a short period of time, which is why it is referred to as "accelerated phase". The most common symptoms of this type of leukemia are extreme fatigue, weight loss, frequent infections, and fever. Other symptoms can include an enlarged spleen, abdominal pain, bone pain, and night sweats.

Treatment of accelerated phase CML generally involves chemotherapy, radiation, and/or immunotherapy. Depending on the specifics of the patient’s condition, a stem cell transplant may also be recommended. The goal of treatment is to lower the white blood cell count and help keep the cancer from progressing to an even more serious condition.

At this time, there is no known cure for CML in its accelerated phase. However, with regular medical care and follow-up, many patients can expect to live longer, healthier lives.

Prevention Tips

Since the cause of CML is still largely unknown, there are no known ways to prevent it. Taking steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle can, however, lessen the risk of other types of cancer and many other diseases. Some prevention tips include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying active and exercising regularly
• Choosing healthy dietary habits
• Getting regular medical checkups
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Practicing stress reduction techniques