Chronic myeloid leukemia

Last reviewed: 3 May 2023
Last updated: 28 Feb 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • splenomegaly
  • shortness of breath
  • left upper quadrant discomfort or fullness
  • epistaxis
  • arthralgia
  • sternal tenderness
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • weight loss
  • excessive sweating
  • fever
  • pallor
  • bruising
  • retinal hemorrhages
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • age 65 to 74 years
  • ionizing radiation exposure
  • male sex
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • CBC
  • complete metabolic profile
  • peripheral blood smear
  • bone marrow biopsy
  • cytogenetic studies
  • quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) including breakpoint analysis
  • fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)
More 1st investigations to order

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

chronic phase

accelerated phase

blast phase

ONGOING

relapse after allogeneic HSCT or allogeneic HSCT contraindicated

Contributors

Authors

Michael J. Mauro, MD

Leader, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Program, Leukemia Service

Attending Physician and Member

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Professor, Weill Cornell Medicine

NY

Disclosures

MJM has received institutional research support for clinical trials from Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda, and Sun Pharma/Sparc, and honoraria for consulting/advisory boards from Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda, and Pfizer.

Acknowledgements

Dr Michael Mauro would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Tim Somervaille, Dr Han Myint, and Dr Robert Chen, the previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

TS has received travel support and speaker expenses from Novartis, and has served as a consultant to Novartis for development of drugs for indications other than CML. HM sits on the advisory board of Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and also does speaking engagements on their behalf. RC declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Rebecca Connor, MD

Chief Fellow

Section of Hematology and Oncology

Department of Internal Medicine

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Winston-Salem

NC

Disclosures

RC declares that she has no competing interests.

Richard E. Clark, MA, MD, FRCP, FRCPath

Professor of Haematology

Royal Liverpool University Hospital

Liverpool

UK

Disclosures

None disclosed.

  • Chronic myeloid leukemia images
  • Differentials

    • Leukemoid reaction
    • Benign neutrophilic leukocytosis
    • Atypical CML
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT)
    • NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: chronic myeloid leukemia
    More Guidelines
  • padlock-lockedLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer