Services > Cancer Center > Health Library  Leukemia, Chronic
Myeloid (CML)  Chronic myeloid leukemia is a slow-growing cancer
in which the bone marrow ? the soft, spongy tissue in the center
of bones ? makes too many abnormal white blood cells known as
leukemic cells. This type of leukemia is also called chronic
myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, or chronic
granulocytic leukemia.  Risk factors  There are very few known
risk factors for CML. Children of parents with CML do not have a
greater risk of developing the disease. Exposure to very high
doses of� ionizing radiation has been linked to CML (such as
exposure during a nuclear reactor accident), but it's not clear
whether radiation�used for treatment raises the risk of CML. No
infectious agents or chemicals are linked to the development of
this leukemia.�The older you are, the higher your risk.        •
Tiredness that will not go away    • Unexplained weight loss
• Fever    • Shortness of breath    • Night sweats    •
Abdominal pain from