Chronic Myeloid Leukemia – Recognizing Risk Aspects and Signs

CML or chronic myeloid leukemia is a cancer affecting the bone marrow cells responsible for blood production which principally leads to a surge in the white blood cell count (the usually infection fighting cells). CML is known occasionally as chronic granulocytic leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia or chronic myelogenous leukemia. CML constitutes nearly nine percent of all newly evolved leukemia cases.

CML patients have the presence of an attained inherent anomaly or mutation present in cells of the bone marrow wherein section of a single chromosome (a lengthy thread of genes) split up and re-lodges itself to a different chromosome. This form of heritable swap is known as translocation.

Those with CML have a section of their chromosome number nine breaking up and fusing itself to a part of chromosome number twenty-two leading to the development of Ph or Philadelphia chromosome. This relocation leads to fusion of the duo genes known as BCR and ABL into a single gene known as BCR-ABL. This form of mutation is present solely in blood-producing cells and is neither heritable nor present in other body organs. Hence, there is no need to be concerned regarding a heightened risk to other kin members.

The fused BCR-ABL gene leads to the myeloid cells producing an anomalous enzyme that facilitates uninhibited growth of white blood cells. Typically, white blood cell count is firmly kept under control by the body with increased white blood cell production when a person is infected or stressed out, however normalising once the infection is treated.

In case of CML, the anomalous BCR-ABL enzyme functions like an irreparable toggle that is jammed in the ‘switched-on’ position wherein it continues to stimulate proliferation of the white blood cells. Along with a surge in the number of white blood cells, the platelet count mostly rises and red blood cell count could plummet.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Risk Factors

The subsequently mentioned factors could increase the risk of contracting CML:

• Age
  The standard age of an individual diagnosed with CML is sixty-seven years old. CML is infrequent in infancy and adolescence.
• Being exposed to radiation
  There was a considerable rise in CML cases in Japan among long-standing surviving individuals of the explosion of atom bombs. Nonetheless, there is absence of any confirmed relationship in the rate of CML subsequent to radiation treatment or chemotherapy offered for other cancer forms or other ailments.
• Gender-biased
  Males are at a somewhat greater risk of developing CML as compared to females.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Symptoms

• Feeling weak or exhausted.
• Excessive perspiration particularly during night times.
• Reduction in weight.
• Swell up of the abdomen or discomforting sensation due to enlargement of the spleen. This could especially be apparent on the upper left area of the abdomen.

CML has a slow progression and person would not be symptomatic for protracted time periods. The signs would firstly be mild-ranging and then intensify gradually. A number of individuals are symptomatic during the time of diagnosis.