CML
Meaning of CML: CML is a slow progressing blood cancer marked by overproduction of white blood cells, most often driven by a specific chromosomal abnormality.
Definition of CML
CML is a slowly progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which the bone marrow produces an excessive number of white blood cells, specifically granulocytes, a category of white blood cell distinct from lymphocytes. Unlike more aggressive leukemias, CML often develops gradually and may be identified before symptoms appear.
Most cases of CML are associated with a specific genetic change called the Philadelphia chromosome, formed when parts of two chromosomes break off and switch places, creating an abnormal gene that drives the excessive production of white blood cells. Identifying this change is central to both diagnosing CML and selecting treatment.
CML typically progresses through recognized phases, beginning with a chronic phase in which the disease is often manageable, and potentially advancing over time toward more aggressive phases if not adequately controlled, which is why ongoing monitoring is a standard part of managing the condition.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
Genetic testing confirmed the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome in the patient newly diagnosed with CML.
Good to know
CML is closely associated with the Philadelphia chromosome, a specific genetic change whose identification helps distinguish CML from other types of leukemia and guides the choice of targeted treatment.