Cancer News, Treatment and Research

CML is the rapid growth of immature cells that make a certain type of white blood cell. Such cells are found in the bone marrow, blood, and other body tissues. CML most often occurs in middle-aged adults and in children. It is usually associated with an abnormal chromosome called the Philadelphia chromosome. Radiation exposure can increase your risk of developing CML. You may be exposed to radiation from: Radiation treatments used in the past to treat thyroid cancer or Hodgkin’s lymphoma Nuclear disaster It takes many years to develop leukemia from radiation exposure. Most people treated for cancer with radiation do not develop leukemia. Most patients with CML have not been exposed to radiation. Symptoms Chronic myelogenous leukemia is grouped into several phases: Chronic Accelerated Blast crisis The chronic phase can last for months or years. The disease may have few or no symptoms during this time. Most people are diagnosed during this stage, when they are having blood tests done for other reasons. The accelerated phase is a more dangerous phase. Leukemia cells grow more quickly. Common symptoms include fever (without infection), bone pain, and a swollen spleen. Untreated CML leads to the blast crisis phase. Bleeding and infection may occur due to bone marrow failure. Other possible symptoms of a blast crisis include: Bruising Excessive sweating (night sweats) Fatigue Fever Pressure under the lower left ribs from a swollen spleen Rash – small pinpoint red marks on the …