What it is
It mostly affects adults and is often found on a routine blood test.
Treatment is with daily tablets called tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Regular blood tests measure the amount of BCR-ABL to show how well treatment is working. Some people in deep remission can stop treatment under close monitoring.
Common signs
- Often no symptoms at first
- Tiredness
- Weight loss and night sweats
- A swollen tummy or discomfort under the left ribs from an enlarged spleen
- Bruising or bleeding easily
How it is usually diagnosed
- Full blood count
- Bone marrow test
- Tests for the Philadelphia chromosome and BCR-ABL gene
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Full blood count results
- BCR-ABL (PCR) results over time
- Bone marrow reports
- Your medicine, dose and any side effects
Questions to ask your doctor
- How is my BCR-ABL level changing?
- What side effects should I report?
- Could I ever stop treatment?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Severe bleeding, fever with feeling very unwell, or sudden severe pain under the left ribs
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.