“Blood cancer? Me? It must be a mistake.” You may feel like you can’t believe it when you learn you have Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase. 

Many people experience no symptoms and are diagnosed as a result of a routine physical. While it can take some time to absorb this news, it’s important to take an active role in your treatment from the start. That includes working with your doctor to determine which medication may help bring the disease under control and asking about the potential side effects of different treatment options.

What is Ph+ CML?

Ph+ CML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue in the center of most of your bones. It creates different types of blood cells. 

Medications can help make the disease manageable 

Since 2001, medications called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have helped make Ph+ CML in chronic phase more manageable for many people. Of course, a medication that works for one person may not work for another. That’s why it’s important to talk with your doctor from the very beginning and have a voice in choosing your medication. 

How many people have Ph+ CML? 

You are not born with Ph+ CML. It’s also not passed down from one generation to the next. As of 2021, it was estimated that nearly 70,000 people in the United States were living with Ph+ CML.

Signs and symptoms 

While Ph+ CML seems to come out of nowhere for many people, others may report signs and symptoms, such as:

• Feeling unusually tired

• Shortness of breath while doing everyday activities

• Fever

• Bone pain

• Unexplained weight loss

• Pain or a feeling of fullness on the upper-left side of the belly area (abdomen), below the ribs

• Unusual sweating at night

Doctors categorize Ph+ CML in phases instead of stages

While many types of cancer are categorized into stages, doctors assign 1 of 3 phases to Ph+ CML:

• Chronic phase: The first phase of Ph+ CML, when the number of white blood cells is higher than normal. Most adults are diagnosed in chronic phase

• Accelerated phase: The second phase of Ph+ CML, in which the number of immature white blood cells (commonly referred to as blast cells) in the blood and bone marrow may increase rapidly

• Blast phase: The third and final phase of Ph+ CML. This phase has the highest number of immature blood cells in the blood and bone marrow

A swap between chromosomes 9 and 22 can create the Ph chromosome

What happens in your body with Ph+ CML 

Ph+ CML is caused by an abnormal fusion gene called BCR::ABL1. It is the result of pieces of 2 chromosomes in the body trading places.

Here’s a brief overview:

• Each cell in the human body has 23 pairs of chromosomes

• In Ph+ CML, pieces from chromosomes 9 and 22 break off and swap places

• This can create a new abnormal chromosome known as the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome

• The Ph chromosome creates the abnormal BCR::ABL1 fusion gene

• This abnormal gene then produces an abnormal protein called BCR::ABL

Here’s what happens in the bone marrow:

• The BCR::ABL protein sends too many signals to the bone marrow

• The bone marrow starts creating too many immature white blood cells

• These cells, which your doctor may call leukemic cells, grow abnormally and do not become healthy white blood cells

• The leukemic cells start to grow and divide and build up, crowding out red blood cells and platelets in the bone marrow

Here’s what happens in the bloodstream:

• As the bone marrow becomes overcrowded with leukemic cells, these cells move into the bloodstream

• Over time, the leukemic cells crowd out healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

• This can lead to serious health problems, including, but not limited to, a greater risk of infections, as well as anemia, bruising easily, and bleeding that takes longer to stop 

Take an active role in learning about Ph+ CML   The more you know about your disease, the better you may be able to communicate with your doctor. In addition to reviewing the information on this website, go to the Helpful Resources page to find contact information for advocacy groups that support patients with Ph+ CML.

Learn about SCEMBLIX as a treatment option

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with Ph+ CML in chronic phase, ask your doctor if SCEMBLIX may be right for you. SCEMBLIX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase(CP).

It is not known if SCEMBLIX is safe and effective in children.

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