Treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
About treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
The aim of treatment is to put chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) into remission and to maintain the remission. Remission means there are no signs of leukaemia cells in your blood or bone marrow, and you feel well. There are different levels of remission.
Remission can usually be maintained for many years – people with CML usually live a normal life-span.
We understand that having treatment can be a difficult time for people. We're here to support you. If you want to talk, you can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.
- Chat to our specialists online.
- Visit our Online Community to talk to people who have been affected by chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.
Types of treatment for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)
Chemotherapy
If you have a very high level of white blood cells in your blood when you are first diagnosed, you may be given chemotherapy tablets for a few days. This is usually only until the doctors check that a TKI will work for you.
Occasionally chemotherapy is used if CML is in the blast phase. A combination of 3 or 4 drugs are given into a vein (intravenously)
Stem cell transplant
Interferon alpha
If other treatments have not worked, occasionally some people are given interferon alpha in the chronic phase. Interferon alpha is an immunotherapy drug. Doctors may also use it for women who need treatment and are pregnant or want to become pregnant.
You may be invited to take part in a clinical trial of a new treatment for CML.
Reducing a high level of white blood cells in the blood
Fertility and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) treatment
Some cancer treatments can affect fertility or harm a developing baby. Because of this you may be advised to use contraception to prevent a pregnancy. If you want to have children or think you may in the future, talk to your doctor about this as soon as possible. They can talk to you about the possible options for planning your treatment.
We have more information about fertility for men and fertility for women.
About our information
References
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
European Leukemia Net. Recommendations for the management of chronic myeloid leukemia. 2013.
Hoffbrand V, and Moss P. Hoffbrand’s essential haematology. 7th edition. 2016.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Leukaemia (chronic myeloid) – dastatinib, nilotinib and standard dose imatinib for the first-line treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (part review of technology appraisal guidance 70). April 2012.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Technology appraisal guidance. 401/426/425.
DeVita V, Lawrence T and Rosenberg S. 2016. Lymphomas and leukemias. From Cancer: principles and practice of oncology.
Reviewers
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Dr Anne Parker, Consultant Haematologist.
Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.
How we can help
If you have cancer, you may be able to get a Macmillan Grant to help with the extra costs of cancer. Find out who can apply and how to access our grants.