Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chronic phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells and their development. This type of cancer starts when a specific cell in the bone marrow, called a stem cell, undergoes a change in its genetic material and becomes a myeloid stem cell. This mutated cell will then replicate itself, creating a large number of myeloid cells that have the same genetic mutation. These abnormal cells will then dislodge the other healthy cells, which reduces the number of healthy white blood cells and leads to anemia and increased susceptibility to infections.

The most common symptoms of CML include fatigue, night sweats, swelling in the belly, recurring infections, easy bleeding and bruising, and loss of appetite. CML is diagnosed using a variety of tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, complete blood count, and cytopenia testing. Once the diagnosis is made, the patient will usually receive treatment that could include medication, chemotherapy, or bone marrow transplant.

Treatment Options for Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia:

There are several treatments options for those diagnosed with CML:

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Medications: Tyrosine kinase inhibitor medications, such as imatinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib, are medications that target specific enzymes in the body that play a role in the growth of cancerous cells. These medications can help to slow the growth and spread of the mutated cells in the body.
Chemotherapy: In some cases, chemotherapy drugs may be recommended to kill off the cancerous cells in the bone marrow.
Bone Marrow Transplant: In some cases, a bone marrow transplant may be recommended to replace the damaged cells with healthy ones.
Stem Cell Transplant: This procedure involves reinfusing the patient's own stem cells, after being altered to destroy the cancer, back into the patient. This procedure is not recommended for all patients and can be very risky.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is used to kill off cancerous cells, but it can also cause damage to healthy cells in the process. For this reason, it's usually not recommended for CML patients.

It is important to talk to your doctor to discuss the best treatment options for your particular case. A combination of medications, chemotherapy, and other treatments may be the most effective in managing your CML.