chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia

Last reviewed 01/2018

CMML is a myelodysplasia which resembles chronic myeloid leukaemia. It is a disease found in elderly people.

Characteristic features include:

  • hypercellular bone marrow, usually dysplastic, with increased myeloblasts
  • mixed monocytosis and granulocytosis, plus an intermediate population of cells demonstrating features of both monocytes and granulocytes

CMML does not respond well to chemotherapy. Splenectomy may diminish transfusion requirements. Long term survival is possible.