Epidemiology

The annual incidence of CML is 4.2 cases per 100,000 and it can occur at any age although it is rare in children (CML represents only 5% of childhood leukaemia). The median age at diagnosis is 72 years (1)

CML represents about 15% of all adult leukaemias. (2)

• CML is more common in males (age-adjusted rate of new cases per 100,000 people [all races] 2.5 males:1.5 females) (3)
• chronic granulocytic leukaemia is the most common variant of CML
• in the UK, peak incidence is greatest in the 85 to 89 years age group.(4)

Reference:

1. Chronic myeloid leukaemia: European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up (2020)
2. Granatowicz A et al. An Overview and Update of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia for Primary Care Physicians. Korean J Fam Med. 2015 Sep;36(5):197-202.
3. National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer stat facts: leukemia - chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). 2024 [internet publication].
4. Cancer Research UK. Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) incidence statistics [internet publication].