Background

In chronic leukemias, we see an accumulation of mature, mutated myeloid cells. The cells will undergo uncontrolled proliferation due to hyperactivated tyrosine kinases or other signaling pathway alterations.

  • Chronic leukemias have a slow progression, and they can progress into acute leukemias (but not the other way around!)
  • Incurable
  • Mostly affect older patients.

Chronic myeloid leukemia

A clonal proliferation of pluripotent myeloid stem cells.

  • Chronic = slow onset, of mature cells; myeloid = of the myeloid lineage; leukemia = cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
  • Caused by t(9;22) Philadelphia chromosome (the

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