Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia Causes
The exact cause of the illness isn't understood, and it appears to develop from combined environmental and genetic factors.
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia Definition
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia is an illness wherein cells that normally develop into monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils become cancerous. This is a slow-progressing kind of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative illness where countless white blood cells called myelomonocytes are present in one's bone marrow, and crowds out the normal blood cells.
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on results of blood test. The test can show abnormal count of white blood cell. Tests that examine chromosomes are required to confirm diagnosis.
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia Symptoms and Signs
In the early stages of the disease, may not have symptoms. However, a number of people become weak and fatigued, lose weight, lose appetite, develop fever, night sweats, and observe a feeling of being full due to enlarged spleen. In its progressive stage, patients become sicker due to decreased number of the platelets and red blood cells, and leads to bruising, paleness, and bleeding.
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia Treatment
While most treatments don't actually cure the illness, they actually slow the progress. Treatment for the chronic stage is believed successful if the count of white blood cell reduces to less than what's considered fairly high level. High-dose chemotherapy together with stem cell transplant is the single chance of cure.