Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Dr. Aaron Rapoport.

Ask the Expert

Get answers to your Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia questions by e-mailing Dr. Aaron Rapoport.

Dr. Rapoport's Bio | Q&A Archive

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis via e-mail.

 

Related Content

Hematologic Malignancies Program

Video: Understanding Leukemia and Lymphoma

Patient Success Stories

Our Doctors

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Definition:

Chronic myelogenous leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow.

Alternative Names:

CML; Chronic granulocytic leukemia; Leukemia - chronic granulocytic (CML)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

CML can occur in adults (usually middle-aged) and children. The disease affects 1 to 2 people per 100,000 and accounts for 7 - 20% cases of leukemia. It is usually associated with a chromosome abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome.

CML causes rapid growth of the blood-forming cells (myeloid precursors) in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and body tissues.

Exposure to ionizing radiation is one possible trigger for this chromosome abnormality. Such exposure could occur from a nuclear disaster or from treatment of a previous cancer, like thyroid cancer or Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, the vast majority of people treated for cancer with radiation do not go on to develop leukemia. It takes many years to develop leukemia from this cause.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com