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Real members of MyLeukemiaTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

When a person goes into remission from cml are they deemed cancer free?

A MyLeukemiaTeam Member asked a question 💭
District Heights, MD
April 23
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Is Leukemia Hereditary? Causes, Risks, and More Read Article...
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

I too, have been undetectable for a few years. My new Dr, calls it remission--that 's wonderful. I’m not "cured" as CML is not curable. I will take any and all I can get. Doing well.--jmb

April 24 (edited)
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

We use the terms active or inactive--atm I'm inactive--to us it makes it easier for people to understand the cause doesn't ever go away...M

April 26
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

I have been undetectable for 6 years and have been off sprycel for 6 years and only have to see my oncologist if my blood work shows any unusual signs

April 23
MyLeukemiaTeam

Going into remission with CML doesn't quite mean being "cancer-free." Remission means the leukemia has been reduced to very low or undetectable levels — but it's not the same as the cancer being completely gone.

Even NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has CML, once described himself as cancer-free but later clarified he Show Full Answer

Going into remission with CML doesn't quite mean being "cancer-free." Remission means the leukemia has been reduced to very low or undetectable levels — but it's not the same as the cancer being completely gone.

Even NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has CML, once described himself as cancer-free but later clarified he misspoke. He now describes his situation as having managed his cancer down to a microscopic level — so few cells remain that they're hard to detect, but they're still there. For most people with CML, remission is maintained through ongoing treatment. Here's what that typically looks like:

- Long-term TKI therapy (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) is usually required to keep the leukemia from coming back
- Stopping treatment can lead to a relapse (return of active CML) for most people
- Some people with deep, sustained remission may eventually be able to stop TKIs under close medical supervision — but this is decided case by case with a doctor

The good news is that with modern treatments, many people with CML can live near-normal lifespans. It's always worth having an open conversation with a healthcare team about what remission means for each individual situation.

April 23
A MyLeukemiaTeam Member

MarySikes because I have an incurable cancer. There are treatments that do a great job to make life better, they just don’t cure. A bone marrow transplant is the best way to cure but no guarantees.—jmb

April 26

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Why doesn't this Social media call CMML a type of Leukemia?

A MyLeukemiaTeam Member asked a question 💭
San Antonio, TX
April 21, 2020