by Robert
McLay and John Krause . Copyright Tulane University
Images of CML:
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Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative
disorder that involves hematopoietic stem cells, affecting the myeloid,
erythroid, megakaryocytic, B-lymphoid and occasionally T-lymphoid blood
elements. Nowell and Hungerford discovered a chromosomal abnormality consistently
associated with CML -- The Philadelphia Chromosome (Ph1), a translocation
between chromosomes 9 and 22. Chronic myeloid leukemia is usually a disease
of middle age, although it may occur in children and young adults.
Peripheral blood in CML shows a moderate marked increase in the white cell count, the majority of the cells being neutrophils, metamyelocytes, and myelocytes. The basophil count is almost invariably increased, and eosinophils may also be increased. The platelet count may be normal or increased. Anemia is common during the course of the disease. The marrow in CML is hypercellular with a pronounced myeloid hyperplasia. Reticulum fibers (fibrosis) may be increased. Hepatomegaly and particularly splenomegaly is present. CML usually presents in an indolent chronic phase, which may last 4-6 years. The disease invariably progresses from the chronic phase to an accelerated and acute (blastic) phase, lasting 6 to 18 months. The accelerated phase is characterized by massive blast and promyelocyte counts, leukocytosis, splenomegaly, along with acquisition of cytogenetic abnormalities in addition to the Ph-1 abnormality. |
If you need more information, the best place on the internet to search is usually the National Library of Medicine.
Please send your comments to Robert McLay or John Krause .
by Robert
McLay and John Krause . Copyright Tulane University