Latest News on Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Article Date: 24 Jan 2005 - 12:00 PDT

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Free, Interactive Telephone Program Presents Update from the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting -

WHITE PLAINS, NY - Michael J Mauro, M D, an expert on leukemia, will discuss novel treatment approaches for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in a free telephone workshop entitled Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia - Update from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. The program is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET.

The program is being offered by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the leading source of information and support for patients battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, in collaboration with CancerCare.

Dr. Mauro, assistant professor, Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, will be joined by CML patient and associate editor for Glamour Magazine, Erin Zammett.

Their presentations will address treatment choices, supportive care therapies, managing side effects, controlling pain and discomfort, communicating with your doctor and quality of life considerations. A question-and-answer period will follow.

"This program provides an excellent opportunity to hear about the latest information coming out of ASH from a medical expert and patient," explains Robin Kornhaber, M.S.W., the Society's senior vice president of patient services. "We strongly encourage patients, their caregivers and healthcare professionals to take part in this program."

The program is approved for 0.1 Continuing Education Unit for social workers upon verification of completion. The program, made possible by a charitable contribution from Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology, will be archived at http://www.lls.org/survivorshipeducation.

Registration

To register, call toll free (800) 813-HOPE; or online at http://www.cancercare.org. Registrants will receive a packet of information and dial-in instructions.

About Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

CML results from an acquired (not inherited) injury to the DNA of a stem cell in the marrow. This injury is not present at birth. Scientists do not yet understand what produces this change in the DNA of CML patients, but the resultant marker of CML cells, the Philadelphia chromosome, is well-understood and this has led to significant treatment advances over the last several years.

This change in the stem cell's DNA confers a growth and survival advantage on the malignant stem cell. The result of this injury is the uncontrolled growth of white cells leading, if unchecked, to a massive increase in their concentration in the blood. Unlike acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia permits the development of mature white blood cells and platelets that generally can function normally. This important distinction from acute leukemia accounts for the less severe early course of the disease.

The estimated number of CML cases in the United States is 4,600. Of the 33,440 newly diagnosed leukemia cases in the United States this year, 14 percent will be CML. There will be an estimated 1,570 deaths from CML this year.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 63 chapters in the United States and additional branches in Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $360 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made more than 812,000 contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit http://www.LLS.org or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Contact: Andrea Greif, (914) 821-8958

Press Release - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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