Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Treatment
Overview
Chronic myeloid leukemia, or CML, also known as chronic granulocytic leukemia, is related to bone marrow and blood cancer. The number of WBCs in the blood increases due to CML. CML is most commonly detected during its chronic phase when most patients benefit from highly successful therapy. It mainly affects the elderly and rarely affects children, yet it can strike anyone at any age.
CML is a type of myeloproliferative illness in which the granulocytic cell line proliferates excessively without losing its ability to differentiate. As a result, the quantity of granulocytes and their immature precursors, as well as some blast cells, rises inside the peripheral erythrocytes profile. Adult leukemias account for 20% of all cases of CML.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of CML include:
- Easy bleeding
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Bone pain
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Causes
According to experts, chronic myelogenous leukemia develops when genetic abnormalities occur in the bone marrow. However, its unclear why this process gets triggered in the first place.
The DNA genetic makeup of a producing stem cell gets hit in the bone marrow. The BCR-ABL gene, exclusively found in CML patients blood and not in normal blood cells, includes signals that instruct the impaired blood cell to create too much tyrosine kinase protein. Tyrosine kinase causes cancer by permitting the uncontrolled growth of specific blood cells. It is termed an acquired mutation.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Stages
Chronic myelogenous leukemia is divided into three stages, with cancers aggressiveness reflected in each of them.
- Chronic phase: The highest response to therapy is usually seen in people at this stage.
- Accelerated phase: Cancer grows more severe during this transitional period.
- Blast phase: Blast is the worst aggressive of the CML phases. The sickness has now progressed to the point of being fatal.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Diagnosis
The most common way for CML to be discovered is during a regular blood count. If your doctor believes you have CML, they will request further testing to determine the diagnosis. These tests may involve the following:
- Physical test: Your doctor will check you and take your vital signs. He will also examine your lymph nodes and abdomen to see if they are swollen.
- CBC test: A CBC or complete blood count test might detect irregularities in the blood cells, such as an abnormally high amount of white blood cells. Blood chemistry tests used to assess organ function may show anomalies that might aid your doctor in making a diagnosis.
- Biopsy of the bone marrow: The samples are collected and submitted to a pathology lab for investigation, usually from your hip bone.
- FISH analysis: Fluorescence is used in this test to identify and locate gene products in your cells. For CML, this test is done to determine the Philadelphia chromosome or the BCR-ABL gene.
- PCR test: A DNA fragment may be copied millions of times using PCR. This is helpful when additional evaluations are required.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Treatment
Chemotherapy:
It is a pharmacological treatment that destroys the bodys fast-growing cells, such as leukemia cells. Chemotherapy medications include a variety of side effects, depending on the ones you use. For aggressive, chronic myelogenous leukemia, chemotherapy agents are sometimes coupled with targeted medication treatment.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor:
The usual treatment for chronic phase CML is tyrosine kinase inhibitor or TKI therapy. For chronic phase CML, three TKIs have been authorized as first-line therapy. TKIs are frequently effective in treating CML for prolonged periods. Some approved medicines are Dasatinib, Nilotinib, Bosutinib, and Imatinib.
If the CML proceeds from chronic to accelerated during TKI treatment, a doctor may raise the existing TKI dosage or prescribe a new TKI than the one previously advised. Bone marrow transplants and clinical studies are two more choices.
Clinical Trials:
They are the most up-to-date therapies for illnesses and novel methods of using old treatment protocols. Participation in a clinical trial for CML may provide you with the opportunity to attempt the most up-to-date medication, but it does not guarantee a cure. Consult your doctor to see whether you qualify for any clinical trials. You can talk about the advantages and disadvantages of participating in a clinical study as a group.
Stem Cell Transplant:
Stem Cell Transplant is the single method to treat CML permanently. However, since bone marrow transplants are risky and have a high probability of significant consequences, its generally reserved for those who havent responded to previous therapies.
High doses of chemotherapy medications are used to destroy the blood-producing cells in your bone marrow during the transplant. After that, a donors blood stem cells are pumped into your bloodstream. The new cells generate new, healthy blood cells to replace the sick cells.
The length of therapy varies depending on the conditions. TKIs are usually used for about three years by persons with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Some people may stop taking the medication and try treatment-free remission at this stage. Some may need to take TKIs for the rest of their lives. People receiving targeted pharmacological therapy for CML should follow their healthcare providers instructions to the letter. You must discuss what to expect in your specific scenario with your healthcare professional.
If youre diagnosed with CML, youll almost certainly be prescribed meds to help you fight the malignancy. These medicines must be taken exactly as prescribed by your specialist. Most patients with CML get regular checkups to assess how well their therapy is working.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Risk Factors
- Radiation: High-dose radiation exposure increases the chance of developing CML.
- Age: The risk of CML increases as you become older.
- Gender: Although the explanation for this is uncertain, men are substantially more likely than women to have this disease.
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