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The Phases of CML
Typically, CML runs a course of three phases
An initial chronic phase
This phase usually lasts a number of years (often five years or more). During this phase the disease progresses very slowly. You may remain stable, with little or nor change in the severity of the disease for long periods. Many people in this phase have no symptoms, or only minor symptoms. CML may be first diagnosed by chance in this phase when a blood test is taken for another reason.
A transformation phase (also known as the accelerated phase)
In time, the disease process tends to speed up and change. In this phase, the number of abnormal cells in the bone marrow and bloodstream builds up. Many of the abnormal cells are 'blast' (immature) white blood cells. As many abnormal cells build up in the bone marrow it is difficult for normal cells in the bone marrow to survive and make enough normal blood cells. Therefore, the main problems and symptoms which tend to develop include:
* Anaemia. This occurs as the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream goes down. This can cause tiredness, breathlessness and other symptoms. You also look pale.
* Blood clotting problems. This is due to low numbers of platelets in the bloodstream. This can cause easy bruising, bleeding from the gums, and other bleeding-related problems.
* Serious infections. The abnormal white blood cells and blast cells do not protect against infection. If there is a reduced number of normal white blood cells which usually combat infection, there is a risk of serious infections developing.
Other symptoms include: mild pain on the left side of the abdomen caused by a swollen spleen (the spleen may enlarge with abnormal cells), sweats, and weight loss.
The transformation phase typically lasts 3-9 months before passing into the third blast phase. Sometimes the chronic phase goes directly into the blast phase with no intermediate transformation phase.
A third 'blast' phase
In this phase the condition rapidly gets worse and behaves like an acute leukaemia. Many immature 'blast' cells develop and fill much of the bone marrow and cause worsening of symptoms described above. Many blast cells spill out into the bloodstream and the blast cell count in blood tests is high.
Some definitions and descriptions were taken from:
patient.co.uk
An initial chronic phase
This phase usually lasts a number of years (often five years or more). During this phase the disease progresses very slowly. You may remain stable, with little or nor change in the severity of the disease for long periods. Many people in this phase have no symptoms, or only minor symptoms. CML may be first diagnosed by chance in this phase when a blood test is taken for another reason.
A transformation phase (also known as the accelerated phase)
In time, the disease process tends to speed up and change. In this phase, the number of abnormal cells in the bone marrow and bloodstream builds up. Many of the abnormal cells are 'blast' (immature) white blood cells. As many abnormal cells build up in the bone marrow it is difficult for normal cells in the bone marrow to survive and make enough normal blood cells. Therefore, the main problems and symptoms which tend to develop include:
* Anaemia. This occurs as the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream goes down. This can cause tiredness, breathlessness and other symptoms. You also look pale.
* Blood clotting problems. This is due to low numbers of platelets in the bloodstream. This can cause easy bruising, bleeding from the gums, and other bleeding-related problems.
* Serious infections. The abnormal white blood cells and blast cells do not protect against infection. If there is a reduced number of normal white blood cells which usually combat infection, there is a risk of serious infections developing.
Other symptoms include: mild pain on the left side of the abdomen caused by a swollen spleen (the spleen may enlarge with abnormal cells), sweats, and weight loss.
The transformation phase typically lasts 3-9 months before passing into the third blast phase. Sometimes the chronic phase goes directly into the blast phase with no intermediate transformation phase.
A third 'blast' phase
In this phase the condition rapidly gets worse and behaves like an acute leukaemia. Many immature 'blast' cells develop and fill much of the bone marrow and cause worsening of symptoms described above. Many blast cells spill out into the bloodstream and the blast cell count in blood tests is high.
Some definitions and descriptions were taken from:
patient.co.uk
