What happens if chronic myeloid leukaemia is not treated?

CML begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Without effective control, abnormal myeloid cells can crowd the marrow and alter the balance of red cells, platelets, and healthy white cells. This may cause tiredness, infections, bruising, bleeding, abdominal fullness from an enlarged spleen, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.

The disease can move from a chronic phase into an accelerated phase and then a blast phase, in which immature cells multiply quickly and normal blood production is seriously disrupted. The pace varies, but a new diagnosis or suspected progression needs prompt haematology review.

Arrange care with a haematologist and follow the blood-test schedule. Testing may include blood counts, examination, and molecular tests that measure the disease marker. Targeted therapy is commonly used to block the signal driving CML; the team will explain adherence, interactions, and side effects. An allogeneic stem cell transplant may be considered in selected circumstances, especially when the disease does not respond as expected or has progressed.

Seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, confusion, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or a fever with profound weakness. Tell the haematology team promptly about new night sweats, unexplained weight loss, worsening fatigue, frequent infections, unusual bruising, or rapidly increasing abdominal fullness.

Ask which phase of CML is present, what the molecular test shows, how treatment response will be checked, what to do after a missed dose, and when transplant assessment might be discussed.