What are the phases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)?
CML is divided into three phases based on the percentage of blast cells (immature white blood cells) in your blood and bone marrow. These phases help determine treatment and outlook.
Chronic Phase
* Less than 10 percent of blood cells are blasts
* Symptoms may be Show Full Answer
What are the phases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)?
CML is divided into three phases based on the percentage of blast cells (immature white blood cells) in your blood and bone marrow. These phases help determine treatment and outlook.
Chronic Phase:
* Less than 10 percent of blood cells are blasts
* Symptoms may be mild or even unnoticed
* Most people are diagnosed in this phase
* This is the earliest and least aggressive stage
Accelerated Phase:
* Between 10 and 19 percent of blood cells are blasts
* Leukemia is getting worse
* Symptoms like fatigue, fever, or weight loss may appear
Blast Phase (also called Blast Crisis):
* At least 20 percent of blood cells are blasts
* This is the most severe stage
* Acts more like acute leukemia and needs urgent treatment
* Makes it harder for the body to fight infections and control bleeding
Your doctor determines your phase through tests that measure blast cells in your blood and bone marrow. The phase can change over time, so attending follow-up appointments is important to monitor your condition.
February 2