Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Health Center

CML occurs when too many blood cells develop into a certain white blood cell known as granulocytes. These particular granulocytes are abnormal and do not become healthy white blood cells. They may also be called leukemic cells. These leukemic cells can build up in the blood and bone marrow, thereby making less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. This can cause infection, anemia and easy bleeding.

While researchers are not fully aware of how CML developeds, it is known that most patients with CML have a gene mutation change called the Philadelphia chromosome, which is not passed from parent to child. Every cell within the human body contains our genetic material, our DNA, that determines how a cell looks and acts. DNA is contained inside chromosomes. In CML, part of the DNA from one chromosome moves to another chromosome. This change is called the Philadelphia chromosome and results in the bone marrow creating an enzyme called a tyrosine kinase, causing too many stem cells to develop into abnormal white blood cells (granulocytes).
 

Review Date: 
August 20, 2012
Last Updated:
June 2, 2014
Source:
dailyrx.com