CML

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. A Myeloproliferative Neoplasm of abnormal Bone Marrow Stem cells that is characterized by t(9;22) which leads to a BCR-ABL1 fusion gene (Philadelphia chromosome). Initially presents as an indolent chronic phase with subsequent transition to accelerated phase and sometimes blast phase. First line therapy usually includes "Imatinib" (AKA Gleevec). Similar to most of the other myeloproliferative neoplasms, patients usually present with some "cytosis" (such as elevated WBC which is known as leukocytosis) and Splenomegaly. The peripheral blood smear usually shows leukocytosis with increased number of myeloid (granulocytic) precursors in different phases of maturation (Clue: the peripheral blood smear looks like a bone marrow aspirate smear).