Understanding CML
Epidemiology
Leukaemias account for 300,000 new cases (~3% of all new cancer cases) each year and 220,000 deaths worldwide.1 CML accounts for about 15%-20% of all adult leukaemias and occurs slightly more frequently in men than in women (incidence ratio: 1.4 to 2.2:1).2-5 CML is rare in persons aged 19 years or younger, with only 10% of cases occurring in this younger age group. The disease is most often diagnosed in middle age.5 The Ph chromosome, which predominates in CML, is also present in a small subset of patients with ALL and is associated with a worse prognosis.6
References:
1. Parkin DM, Bray F, Ferlay J, Pisani P. Global cancer statistics, 2002. CA Cancer J Clin. 2005;55:74-108.
2. Druker BJ. Perspectives on the development of a molecularly targeted agent. Cancer Cell. 2002;1:31-36.
3. Greenlee RT, Hill-Harmon MB , Murray T, Thun M. Cancer statistics, 2001. CA Cancer J Clin. 2001;51:15-36.
4. Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, et al. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2001. National Cancer Institute. Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov July 15, 2005.
5. Cortes J. Natural history and staging of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2004;18:569-584.
6. Gleissner B, Gokbuget N, Bartram CR, et al. Leading prognostic relevance of the BCR-ABL translocation in adult acute B-lineage lymphoblastic leukemia: a prospective study of the German Multicenter Trial Group and confirmed polymerase chain reaction analysis. Blood. 2002;99:1536-1543.