Chronic myeloid leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is highly treatable. With an experienced care team, most people do well for many years on medicines they take at home.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, our CML experts understand the complex factors that go into planning the right approach for each patient. This includes knowing which treatments match your needs and goals, when to change treatments and why. We see people who have just been diagnosed with CML and people who started treatment somewhere else and want new options.

Many of our CML patients take part in clinical trials — led by world-renowned doctors from Fred Hutch and UW Medicine — to get promising therapies that are not available everywhere.

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Confirming your CML diagnosis

Diagnosing CML involves blood and bone marrow tests, like a bone marrow biopsy. A biopsy shows if you have cancer. It will also give details about the type and subtype you have.

At Fred Hutch, our hematopathologists will check and confirm your diagnosis. One thing they will look for is what phase your disease is in: the chronic phase, accelerated phase or blast phase. In each phase, CML behaves in a different way, and the treatment approach is different. At Fred Hutch, our hematopathologists are very experienced in diagnosing CML. They will give your doctor the details needed to tailor your care to you.

Biopsy The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids. Bone marrow The soft, spongy material in the center of your bones that produces all your blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

Confirming your CML diagnosis

To provide the most precise treatment for you, we will begin by checking details about your disease.

Your First Appointment

From the first time you come to see us, your CML team will begin getting to know you and your family. What are your questions? What are your concerns?

At your first appointment, your hematologist-oncologist will also explain your specific disease. They will tell you how it is treated and which tests you need to help plan your individual care. Before you leave, your team makes sure you understand the next steps.

Hematologist A physician who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues.

CML First Appointment

Care at Fred Hutch

How does Fred Hutch approach treatment ?

The safest, most effective and most widely accepted therapies for cancer become the “standard of care.” For many patients, these therapies will be a large part of their treatment. At Fred Hutch, we provide all standard therapies for CML. We know how to choose the right ones for you and how to deliver them to give you the best chance at a full recovery.

Our doctors and researchers are always asking how we can make CML treatments more effective and reduce side effects as much as possible. This is why we do clinical trials (also called clinical studies). Through these studies, we are able to offer you therapies that aren’t available everywhere. A therapy that is going through trials today may become the new standard of care tomorrow.

Along with treating your cancer, a group of world-class professionals is here to support you. This team includes nurses, dietitians, physical therapists, social workers and psychologists. We also include supportive care services for your physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease. Side effects A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some side effects of cancer treatment are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss and mouth sores. Standard care A treatment or other intervention currently being used and considered to be of proven effectiveness based on past studies. Standard care A treatment or other intervention currently being used and considered to be of proven effectiveness based on past studies.

Treatment plan and process

Usually, CML grows slowly. With ongoing treatment, it may not cause any symptoms or other health problems for years. But in some cases, it speeds up, and you may need different treatments quickly. To predict the outlook and plan the best approach for you, it is important to see CML specialists.

At Fred Hutch, experienced CML doctors will design and provide your care. Your Fred Hutch team will make a treatment plan specifically for — and with — you.

Typically, the main treatment is oral targeted therapy. Targeted therapies have changed CML from a life-threatening illness to a chronic condition that we can manage. We also use chemotherapy, interferon, blood or marrow transplants and new therapies.

As you go through treatment, your needs may change. Your care team at Fred Hutch is with you each step of the way. For example, we will help you deal with any side effects you have. We may suggest adding a new therapy that was just approved. Even if you are able to stop CML treatment, as some people are, we will keep seeing you to protect your health over the long term.

Chemotherapy Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. It may be given alone or with other treatments. Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, infusion or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or biologic therapy. Interferon A natural substance that helps the body’s immune system fight infection and other diseases, such as cancer. Interferons are made in the body but can also be made in the laboratory to use as treatments. A natural substance that helps the body’s immune system fight infection and other diseases, such as cancer. Interferons are made in the body by white blood cells and other cells, but they can also be made in the laboratory to use as treatments for different diseases. In cancer therapy, interferons may help keep cancer cells from growing and may help kill cancer cells. There are three main types of interferons: interferon-alfa, interferon-beta and interferon-gamma. An interferon is a type of cytokine and a type of immunomodulating agent. Side effects A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some side effects of cancer treatment are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss and mouth sores. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain. Targeted therapy A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific types of cancer cells while causing less harm to normal cells. A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific types of cancer cells while causing less harm to normal cells. Some targeted therapies block the action of certain enzymes, proteins or other molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Other types of targeted therapies help the immune system kill cancer cells, or they deliver toxic substances directly to cancer cells and kill them. Targeted therapy may have fewer side effects than other types of cancer treatment. Most targeted therapies are either small molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies. Targeted therapy A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific types of cancer cells while causing less harm to normal cells. A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific types of cancer cells while causing less harm to normal cells. Some targeted therapies block the action of certain enzymes, proteins or other molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Other types of targeted therapies help the immune system kill cancer cells, or they deliver toxic substances directly to cancer cells and kill them. Targeted therapy may have fewer side effects than other types of cancer treatment. Most targeted therapies are either small molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies. Treatment plan A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A treatment plan may also include information about how much the treatment is likely to cost and about regular follow-up care after treatment ends.

Treatment for CML

For Caregivers

When someone close to you needs treatment for CML, you might step into the role of caregiver. Being a caregiver can mean many things, from lending a hand with daily living tasks to helping with medical decisions. It can also mean dealing with your own emotions and stress.

At Fred Hutch, caregivers are valuable members of a patient’s care team. We see every day that your presence and your support make a difference. We know that what your friend or family member is going through affects you, too.

Part of our mission is to help you take care of yourself. Caring for yourself is good for your own physical, mental and emotional health. It also helps you give your best to your loved one. Our social workers, Spiritual Health team and Patient and Family Resource Center staff are here to help support you.

Caregiver A person who gives care to people who need help, such as children, older people or patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. A person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves, such as children, older people or patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. Caregivers may be health professionals, family members, friends, social workers or members of the clergy. They may give care at home, in a hospital or in another health care setting.

For Caregivers

Resources for Caregivers

Other Resources

Care team

At Fred Hutch, a team of dedicated people surrounds you and your family to give you the highest level of care and support. You are the most important person on your care team. Our patients are at the center of everything we do.

CML Care Team

Care team

Research

Fred Hutch is a national leader in leukemia research. Our scientists and doctors are working all the time to improve current treatments for CML and develop new ones so every person with this disease lives a long, healthy life.

CML Research

Research

Resources

There are many resources for learning about your disease, as well as organizations that provide support. Health educators at the Fred Hutch Patient and Family Resource Center have compiled a list of trusted sources to help you get started.

Learn More

Resources

Next Up: First Appointment