The difference between chronic granulocytic leukemia and leukemia

Written by Li Guo Bao

Hematology

Updated on September 20, 2024

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Leukemia is divided into acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is further categorized into acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, while chronic leukemia is divided into chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia, also known as chronic granulocytic leukemia, generally has a better prognosis compared to acute leukemia, with a higher cure rate and longer survival. Among these, chronic granulocytic leukemia has targeted treatment drugs such as imatinib and dasatinib.

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Written by Li Fang Fang

Hematology

47sec

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Is leukemia cancer?

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood system. Based on the maturity of the tumor cells, leukemia can be divided into acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia is further divided into acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, while chronic leukemia is divided into chronic granulocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. As the name suggests, acute leukemia has a rapid onset, a shorter survival period, and treatment is more challenging. Chronic leukemia, on the other hand, has a slower onset, a relatively longer survival period, and the treatment results are comparatively better.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le

Hematology

1min 2sec

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What is acute leukemia?

Acute leukemia is a malignant clonal disease originating from hematopoietic stem progenitor cells. Normally, hematopoietic stem progenitor cells differentiate into white blood cells, which gradually mature into normal white blood cells. However, leukemia cells are primitive cells and immature cells, which means that the hematopoietic stem cells lose the ability to differentiate and mature. Additionally, they proliferate massively in the bone marrow while suppressing normal hematopoietic functions, and can widely infiltrate various organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Due to the suppression of bone marrow hematopoiesis, patients may exhibit clinical manifestations such as anemia, bleeding, and infections. Patients with acute leukemia often seek medical attention because of fever, fatigue, or bleeding from the skin and mucous membranes.

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Written by He Li Fang

Hematology

1min 9sec

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Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia Classification

Chronic granulocytic leukemia is a myeloproliferative tumor originating from pluripotent stem cells, characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome or changes in the BCR/ABL fusion gene. Chronic granulocytic leukemia progresses through four stages: asymptomatic, chronic, accelerated, and blast crisis phases. Most patients are diagnosed after the onset of symptoms. Only a very few patients are diagnosed through routine physical examinations or other reasons when blood abnormalities are discovered. The earliest symptoms experienced during the chronic phase of the illness typically include fatigue, dizziness, and abdominal discomfort. The accelerated phase is a transitional stage before the blast crisis, marking a turning point where the disease worsens. It is often difficult to distinctly separate the accelerated phase from the blast crisis, and about 20%-25% of patients may enter the blast crisis phase directly without passing through the accelerated phase.

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Written by He Li Fang

Hematology

53sec

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Causes of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chronic granulocytic leukemia, also known as chronic myeloid leukemia, is a myeloproliferative tumor originating from pluripotent stem cells. It is characterized by a specific chromosomal alteration, commonly referred to as the Philadelphia chromosome, which is formed by the translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22, resulting in the formation of the BCR-ABL fusion gene at the molecular level. Chronic granulocytic leukemia is a clonal disease originating from pluripotent stem cells. Due to a significant expansion of the progenitor cell pool, there is excessive proliferation of myeloid cells and increased granulocyte production. The slow clearance of granulocytes leads to the accumulation of granulocytes in the body, which is the main cause of the disease.

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Written by Li Fang Fang

Hematology

45sec

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How is leukemia diagnosed?

When a routine blood test suggests the possibility of leukemia, further diagnostic tests such as bone marrow aspiration, biopsy, and immunophenotyping are required to confirm the diagnosis. Leukemia can be divided into acute leukemia and chronic leukemia. Acute leukemia includes acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia is further categorized into eight types, from M0 to M7. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is divided into three subtypes: L1 to L3. Chronic leukemia can be divided into chronic myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.