Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML)
What is juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML)?
JMML is a very rare childhood blood cancer. Though JMML can be considered a chronic form of leukaemia, there are many distinguishing clinical features of JMML that are absent in the types of chronic leukaemia found in adults. The World Health Organisation has defined JMML as a mixed myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorder. Juvenile Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (JCML), Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukaemia of Infancy, and Infantile Monosomy 7 Syndrome are all now classed as JMML.
About 75% of children diagnosed with JMML are discovered to have genetic abnormalities that are identified in laboratory testing at diagnosis. There are three main types of mutations found in JMML. These mutations occur in a type of white cell known as a monocyte, which are a part of the body’s immune system. These monocyte cells affected with JMML accumulate in the bone marrow interfering with production and function of healthy blood cells. Overproduction of monocytic cells can infiltrate organs, including the spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and lung.
Disease type, clinical presentation and age of the child when diagnosed are predicting factors in the child’s prognosis. Survival rates of children treated with stem cell transplantation are now being reported at over 50%.
Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia: the basics
How common is JMML?
Who gets JMML?
What are the causes of JMML?
What are the symptoms of JMML?
Last updated on May 22nd, 2024
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