Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
By Arush Emmanuel Michael
Chronic myeloid leukemia or chronic granulocyte leukemia is characterised by the presence of increased leukocytes known as leukocytosis and immaturity of granulocytes along with basophilia (increased basophils), splenomegaly (enlargement of spleen) which is all caused by a stem cell disorder which is the result of the formation of BCR-ABL fusion gene which is also known as the Philadelphia chromosome which is the hallmark diagnostic features of chronic myeloid leukemia.
Molecular biology of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
The reciprocal translocation of long arm of chromosome 22 and chromosome 9 results in the formation of the BCR-ABL fusion gene which encodes for greater activity of tyrosine kinase and impedes apoptosis (cell death). Increased tyrosine kinase of the stem cell causes uncontrolled proliferation and multiplication of the myeloid cells which results in the condition which is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. If you are diagnosed with any condition and are prescribed treatment you can now buy medicines online in India.
Phases of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia has three phases namely
The chronic phase
The accelerated phase
The blastic phase
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Symptoms and Clinical features of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
The disease is insidious in onset with a feeling of fatigue, not feeling hungry and general abdominal discomfort. The person's weight decreases and there is increased sweating. Leukostasis leads to development of visual disturbances and venous thrombosis. There is mild to moderate pallor which might develop. The person's spleen is enlarged moderately as a result of leukemia infiltration and there is resultant pain in the lefts side of abdomen as a result of inflammation of the spleen. The leukemia infiltrate might also result in enlargement of the liver. Leukostasis can cause painful penile erections in male patients.
Haematologic findings of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
There is a decrease in haemoglobin however the red blood cells are normal in size and colour. There is leukocytosis which refers to the increase in the total leukocyte count There is the presence of immature white blood cells in the blood with a preponderance of myelocytes. The patient also demonstrates basophilia and Eosinophilia. The neutrophil alkaline phosphatase is decreased to zero to twenty. Conclusion
Most patients are known to present in the chronic stable phase which lasts for around two to five years. The patient then progresses into the accelerated phase lasting for a few months with the blasts proliferating and finally the patient enters the blastic phase which is fatal and the patients undergo marrow fibrosis amongst other features.









