Myelogenous Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm arises from a single genetic translocation in a pluripotential hematopoietic stem cell (HSC). This genetic aberration results in a clonal over-production of the myeloid cell line with a preponderance of immature cells in the neutrophilic line. A hallmark of CML is an abnormal chromosome known as the Philadelphia Chromosome, a genetic or DNA related abnormality that initiates a series of events leading to the development of what is called a Bcr-Abl translocation. This translocation results in an abnormality of an enzyme known as tyrosine kinase causing granulocytes to grow and reproduce rapidly. There is no obvious reason associated with such Philadelphia Chromosome, but the disease is seen predominantly in those aged 46 to 53 years, and is slightly more common in males than in females. Exposure to ionizing radiation and prolonged used of chemotherapy have also been committed as a risk factor for the disease.