Chronic myeloid leukemia is a type of blood cancer that is characterized by abnormal production of granulocytes (a type of white blood cell), these cells enter the bone marrow and prevent the proper production of other blood cells, reducing the functioning of other organs. This disease is divided into three phases , in the first the granulocytes are still quite controllable, in the second the cells begin to multiply and in the third, if treatment has not been carried out in time, it can lead to a much more serious leukemia . At FastlyHeal we explain the causes, symptoms and prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia.
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Causes of chronic myeloid leukemia
The cause of this disease has to do with an abnormality in the Philadelphia chromosomes. These chromosomes are produced by the union of two pieces of DNA that are not related to each other, this abnormality is also part of some diseases in the blood. Chronic myeloid leukemia can appear in adulthood and is rarely common in children. Being exposed to radiation and being a man can increase the chances of suffering from this disease, but it cannot be considered a direct cause.
Symptoms of chronic myeloid leukemia
The reproduction of the cells that cause this disease can be quite slow, which causes the patient to show no symptoms for many years . However, when the leukemia is in the second stage, you can start to suffer from inflammation of the spleen, fever, bone pain, bleeding and bruising, for no apparent reason and fatigue. At this point a blood test can diagnose the disease, another way to diagnose it is a spinal biopsy. When the disease has progressed to the second phase, the cells reproduce very quickly and without proper treatment, it can result in a much more serious leukemia.
Prognosis for chronic myeloid leukemia
Everything will depend on the phase in which the disease is at the moment of being detected and the age of the patient. If you are in the first phase, also called chronic treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ITK) will be the best option, since it directly attacks cancer cells without damaging the others and can keep the disease in this stage for many years.
In case the white blood cells are very high when the diagnosis is made, the first step will be to lower them with chemotherapy sessions. When the leukemia is in stage three or hemoblastic, or the disease has returned, treatment is more complicated and what is recommended is a bone marrow transplant.
Chronic myeloid leukemia can have complications in its highest phase, you can suffer from bleeding, fevers for no apparent reason and kidney problems, and if your doctor has treated you with chemotherapy, this will also generate a series of side effects.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.