The 20 Best Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Doctors Near Me in Altoona, PA

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is cancer that starts inside the bone marrow. This is the soft tissue in the center of bones that helps form all blood cells.

CML causes an uncontrolled growth of immature and mature cells that make a certain type of white blood cell called myeloid cells. The diseased cells build up in the bone marrow and blood.

The symptoms of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) can vary from person to person. Some people might not notice any symptoms at first. When symptoms do appear, they can include: 

• Fatigue 

• Unexplained weight loss 

• Night sweats 

• A feeling of fullness or discomfort under the left ribcage (due to an enlarged spleen) 

• Fever 

• Bone pain 

• Frequent infections 

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a serious condition, but it usually develops slowly. Most types of cancer are given a stage to show how much the cancer has spread. However, CML is different. Instead of stages, CML is divided into 3 phases. The phase of CML depends mostly on the number of immature white blood cells – called blasts – in the blood or bone marrow.  

According to the American Cancer Society, the phases, from less serious to more serious, are: 

• Chronic phase – Most of the time, CML is in the chronic phase when it’s first found. Most people have mild symptoms or none. Treatment usually works well during this early phase.  

• Accelerated phase – Symptoms become more noticeable in this phase. The number of blasts in the blood or bone marrow increases, and treatment may need to be adjusted.  

• Blast phase – Also called acute phase or blast crisis, this phase can cause serious infections, bleeding, and anemia, which is when the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen. 

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is not always considered terminal (deadly). Thanks to new treatments, many people with CML can have normal life spans and high survival rates. Some people even reach remission, where cancer is no longer detectable in the body. However, CML is a chronic (lifelong) condition that requires long-term treatment and careful monitoring. 

There are several treatments available for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The most common treatment is a type of medicine called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), which targets the cancer cells and stops them from growing. Other treatments might include chemotherapy, stem cell or bone marrow transplants, or participating in clinical trials. The treatment plan usually depends on the CML phase and the patient’s overall health. 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near New York, NY
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near Chicago, IL
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near Houston, TX
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near Atlanta, GA
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near Boston, MA
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near Dallas, TX
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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