Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is not staged in the traditional sense like other cancers. Instead, it is classified based on the number of blasts, or immature cells, in the blood and bone marrow. This classification helps doctors determine the severity of the disease and the best treatment options.
Classification of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
CMML is classified into two types: CMML-1 and CMML-2.
- CMML-1: In this type, less than 5% of the cells in the blood and less than 10% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts.
- CMML-2: In this type, 5-19% of the cells in the blood and 10-19% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts. Alternatively, if Auer rods are present in the cells, or if there are more than 20% blasts in the blood or bone marrow, the disease is also classified as CMML-2.
CMML-2 is generally more severe and may require more aggressive treatment than CMML-1.
Phases of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
CMML can also be described in terms of phases or stages, which are based on the number of blasts in the blood and bone marrow, as well as the presence of certain symptoms. These phases include:
- Chronic phase: This is the initial phase of CMML, where the number of blasts in the blood and bone marrow is relatively low (less than 10%). Symptoms may be mild or even absent in this phase.
- Accelerated phase: In this phase, the number of blasts increases (between 10% and 19%). Symptoms may become more noticeable and the disease may start to progress more quickly.
- Blast phase (or acute phase): This is the most severe phase of CMML, where the number of blasts is 20% or more. The disease behaves like acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in this phase, with rapid progression and severe symptoms.
Want to Learn More About Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
Keep reading HealthTree for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia's 101 pages!
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is not staged in the traditional sense like other cancers. Instead, it is classified based on the number of blasts, or immature cells, in the blood and bone marrow. This classification helps doctors determine the severity of the disease and the best treatment options.
Classification of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
CMML is classified into two types: CMML-1 and CMML-2.
- CMML-1: In this type, less than 5% of the cells in the blood and less than 10% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts.
- CMML-2: In this type, 5-19% of the cells in the blood and 10-19% of the cells in the bone marrow are blasts. Alternatively, if Auer rods are present in the cells, or if there are more than 20% blasts in the blood or bone marrow, the disease is also classified as CMML-2.
CMML-2 is generally more severe and may require more aggressive treatment than CMML-1.
Phases of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
CMML can also be described in terms of phases or stages, which are based on the number of blasts in the blood and bone marrow, as well as the presence of certain symptoms. These phases include:
- Chronic phase: This is the initial phase of CMML, where the number of blasts in the blood and bone marrow is relatively low (less than 10%). Symptoms may be mild or even absent in this phase.
- Accelerated phase: In this phase, the number of blasts increases (between 10% and 19%). Symptoms may become more noticeable and the disease may start to progress more quickly.
- Blast phase (or acute phase): This is the most severe phase of CMML, where the number of blasts is 20% or more. The disease behaves like acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in this phase, with rapid progression and severe symptoms.
Want to Learn More About Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
Keep reading HealthTree for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia's 101 pages!
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