Epidemiology

The incidence of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is around 1–2 cases per 100 000 population/year without an obvious geographical difference (1).

• in England and Wales
• CML accounts for more than one in six leukaemias in adults with around 600 new cases being registered each year
• the annual case rates are 1.0 per 100,000 men and 0.8 per 100,000 women
• around 2660 people have CML (2)
• accounts for 15-20% of cases of leukaemias in developed countries
• the incidence increases with age (3), median age at diagnosis is around 65 years (4)
• it affects men more than women and there seems to be a survival advantage in women over men (4)
• chronic granulocytic leukaemia is the most common variant of CML

Reference:

• (1) Baccarani M et al. Chronic myeloid leukaemia: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2010;21 Suppl 5:v165-7.
• (2) NICE (October 2003). Guidance on the use of imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia
• (3) Rohrbacher M, Hasford J. Epidemiology of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2009;22(3):295-302.
• (4) Hehlmann R et al. Chronic myeloid leukaemia. Lancet. 2007;370(9584):342-50.