Stages

Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML)

CML can be staged based on what percentage of bone marrow cells are abnormal leukaemia cells. There are three stages of CML, which are actually called ‘phases’ with increasing stage or phase the disease is more advanced, more cells are abnormal, symptoms are more likely to be present and survival is worse. Their names are:

• Chronic phase– this is the least severe stage. Symptoms if they are present will consist of feeling tired or a bit unwell, though some people may feel very unwell.
• Accelerated phase – symptoms such as tiredness, weight loss and abdominal pain are likely.
• Blast phase – high grade leukaemia is present, symptoms are likely to be severe and death from bone marrow failure is likely within weeks without treatment.

Amended February 2009