Theyre also both slow-growing forms ofblood cancer.
While these two types of leukemia are similar, they also have important differences regarding their diagnoses and treatments.
This article will discuss their symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
However, they each have some unique symptoms.
The leukemic cells do not function as well as normal cells.
Each condition has some symptoms or signs that are different from the other.
Gene changes likely play a role.
Neither form of leukemia is inherited.
Instead, the changes responsible for these types of cancers are typically acquired during a person’s lifetime.
However, they dont know exactly why some people have this chromosome.
While experts can’t pinpoint the definitive cause for CML and CLL, each disease has known risk factors.
A doctor needs to perform additional tests to confirm a diagnosis of CML or CLL.
CML
Most people with CML dont display symptoms.
Having a family history of leukemia may increase your odds of developing this jot down of cancer.
Other things the doctor will look for include swollen lymph nodes and swelling in the abdomen.
The first-line treatments for CML and CLL differ.
Doctors typically start by treating those with CML with targeted therapies.
Targeted therapies are drugs that work on specific cells.
In the case of CML, drugs calledtyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs) target the abnormal BCR-ABL gene.
Targeted drugs are considered a long-term treatment.
Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic immune system proteins that target specific cells.
They may also treat CLL using stem cell transplants, particularly in the case of hard-to-treat CLL.
That said, most people dont knowingly or purposely expose themselves to these substances.
Its essential to get a proper diagnosis because treatment differs for these types of leukemia.
For example, the treatment of choice for CML involves targeted therapy drugs.
In contrast, CLL treatment may involve a combination of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and monoclonal antibodies.
Both also have a good prognosis.
The five-yearsurvival rate for CLLis about 87%.For CML, its about 70%.
you’re free to do very little to prevent these types of cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both CML and CLL are chronic forms of leukemia.
That means theyre slow growing.
Acute leukemias progress and worsen more rapidly.
This abnormal chromosome results from genetic changes that occur during a persons lifetime.
You dont inherit this gene.
Researchers still dont know why this gene abnormality happens in some people.
Other types of leukemia includehairy cell,promyelocytic, myeloproliferative, andsystemic mastocytosis.
There is also acute lymphocytic leukemia andacute myeloid leukemia.
However, both cancers are far more likely to occur in adults.
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