How does chronic myelogenous leukemia develop?

How does chronic myelogenous leukemia develop?

CML starts due to a specific change in the bone marrow stem cell. Specifically, CML cancer cells contain an abnormal gene called BCR-ABL. This gene creates a protein that causes the cancer cells to grow out of control. As a result, the bone marrow produces too many granulocytes (a type of white blood cells). Over time, blasts — or immature white blood cells — accumulate. This makes it difficult for your bone marrow to produce normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.