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What is Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by the overproduction of monocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the bone marrow. These excess monocytes spill into the bloodstream and can infiltrate other parts of the body such as the liver, spleen, and skin, causing a variety of symptoms. CMML is considered a type of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) but also has features of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), making it a unique disease entity.
Types of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
There are two types of CMML, known as CMML-1 and CMML-2. The distinction between these two types is based on the number of blasts, or immature cells, present in the blood or bone marrow. CMML-1 is characterized by fewer blasts and is generally associated with a better prognosis, while CMML-2 has more blasts and is often more aggressive and harder to treat.
Why Do People Get Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
The exact cause of CMML is not known. However, it is believed to result from genetic mutations in the stem cells within the bone marrow. These mutations are usually acquired during a person's lifetime and are not inherited. Certain risk factors have been identified for CMML, including older age (it is more common in people over 60), previous treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene. However, many people with CMML do not have any of these risk factors, suggesting that other unknown factors may also contribute to the development of this disease.
Who gets Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
According to the American Cancer Society, CMML affects approximately 4 out of 1 million people in the United States each year with about 1,100 new cases annually. The median age at diagnosis is about 72 years. CMML is rare in young people. It occurs more often in men than in women.
Want to Learn More About Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
Keep reading HealthTree for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia's 101 pages!
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a rare type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by the overproduction of monocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the bone marrow. These excess monocytes spill into the bloodstream and can infiltrate other parts of the body such as the liver, spleen, and skin, causing a variety of symptoms. CMML is considered a type of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) but also has features of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), making it a unique disease entity.
Types of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
There are two types of CMML, known as CMML-1 and CMML-2. The distinction between these two types is based on the number of blasts, or immature cells, present in the blood or bone marrow. CMML-1 is characterized by fewer blasts and is generally associated with a better prognosis, while CMML-2 has more blasts and is often more aggressive and harder to treat.
Why Do People Get Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
The exact cause of CMML is not known. However, it is believed to result from genetic mutations in the stem cells within the bone marrow. These mutations are usually acquired during a person's lifetime and are not inherited. Certain risk factors have been identified for CMML, including older age (it is more common in people over 60), previous treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene. However, many people with CMML do not have any of these risk factors, suggesting that other unknown factors may also contribute to the development of this disease.
Who gets Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
According to the American Cancer Society, CMML affects approximately 4 out of 1 million people in the United States each year with about 1,100 new cases annually. The median age at diagnosis is about 72 years. CMML is rare in young people. It occurs more often in men than in women.
Want to Learn More About Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia?
Keep reading HealthTree for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia's 101 pages!
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