Abstract
Chronic myelogenous leukemia also known as chronic granulocytic leukemia or CML, was the first cancer to be clearly linked to a genetic abnormality as the primary cause of oncogene formation. This bone marrow stem cell disorder is associated with a chromosomal translocation, which leads to the formation of an oncogenic protein. This translocation and oncogenic protein is then responsible for inhibiting DNA repair and the enhancing the susceptibility of further genetic abnormalities. CML has three phases as the chromosomal abnormality accelerates the unregulated growth of myeloid cells in the blood and bone marrow. This abnormal and excess build up of myeloid cells leads to infection, anemia and threateningly low white blood cell counts. …show more content…
During the first phase, weight loss and weakness are the non-specific symptoms shown. Leukocytosis with immature granulocyte cell types in the peripheral blood is often found in lab samples and splenomegaly is commonly found at the time of diagnosis. Hepatolmegaly and lymphadenopathy can also be present, but are less common. Anemia and thrombocytopeinia are also onsets of the chronic phase and can result in weakness, fatigability, and dyspnea on exertion. Next, the accelerated phase, is confirmed with the increase of basophil and immature cell counts in the blood or bone marrow. This phase is often accompanied by progressive symptoms including more severe splenomegaly causing abdominal fullness and discomfort, a low-grade fever, night sweats and bone pain. Weight loss may be found due to the rapid proliferation and hypermetabolism of the leukemic cells. The dysfunctional platelets may also cause easy bruising and bleeding. Lastly, the terminal blast crisis phase, is characterized by the increase of myeloid precursor and blast cells counts in the blood. Splenomegaly may continue to increase significantly and isolated infiltrates of leukemic cells may involve the skin, lymph nodes, bone and central nervous system. Leukostasis may occur when blast count exceed 100,000 cells/uL (Porth & Grossman, 2014, p.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia also known as chronic granulocytic leukemia or CML, was the first cancer to be clearly linked to a genetic abnormality as the primary cause of oncogene formation. This bone marrow stem cell disorder is associated with a chromosomal translocation, which leads to the formation of an oncogenic protein. This translocation and oncogenic protein is then responsible for inhibiting DNA repair and the enhancing the susceptibility of further genetic abnormalities. CML has three phases as the chromosomal abnormality accelerates the unregulated growth of myeloid cells in the blood and bone marrow. This abnormal and excess build up of myeloid cells leads to infection, anemia and threateningly low white blood cell counts. …show more content…
During the first phase, weight loss and weakness are the non-specific symptoms shown. Leukocytosis with immature granulocyte cell types in the peripheral blood is often found in lab samples and splenomegaly is commonly found at the time of diagnosis. Hepatolmegaly and lymphadenopathy can also be present, but are less common. Anemia and thrombocytopeinia are also onsets of the chronic phase and can result in weakness, fatigability, and dyspnea on exertion. Next, the accelerated phase, is confirmed with the increase of basophil and immature cell counts in the blood or bone marrow. This phase is often accompanied by progressive symptoms including more severe splenomegaly causing abdominal fullness and discomfort, a low-grade fever, night sweats and bone pain. Weight loss may be found due to the rapid proliferation and hypermetabolism of the leukemic cells. The dysfunctional platelets may also cause easy bruising and bleeding. Lastly, the terminal blast crisis phase, is characterized by the increase of myeloid precursor and blast cells counts in the blood. Splenomegaly may continue to increase significantly and isolated infiltrates of leukemic cells may involve the skin, lymph nodes, bone and central nervous system. Leukostasis may occur when blast count exceed 100,000 cells/uL (Porth & Grossman, 2014, p.