Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a slow-growing cancer of the white blood cells. It is also sometimes called chronic myeloid, chronic granulocytic or chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Causes of Chronic myelogenous leukemia
Chronic myelogenous leukemia is caused by a change in the genetic code of some of the cells in the bone marrow. It is caused by the presence of a genetic abnormality in blood cells, called the Philadelphia chromosome. The Philadelphia chromosome makes an enzyme that signals the body to make too many white blood cells.

Symptoms of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
1. Excessive sweating
2. Weight loss
3. Tiredness
4. Pain on the left side of the abdomen (caused by an enlarged spleen)


Treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Treatments is based on a patient's age, overall health and related factors. Following types of treatment can be done
1. Chemotherapy
2. Drug therapy- Gleevec is a new type of cancer drug, that blocks the enzyme, tyrosine kinase, that causes stem cells to develop into more white blood cells.
3. Biologic therapy
4. Surgery