Myeloproliferative disorders are a group of diseases in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
CMML, or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, is a disorder of the bone marrow where the bone marrow is making too many white blood cells called monocytes. CMML is considered a myeloproliferative disorder.
In people with CMML, their bone marrow appears myeloproliferative but the cells that it makes are not normal mature cells and do not function properly. This disorder is called a myelodysplastic disorder (funny looking bone marrow). Its progression and outcome is variable and can be predicted to some degree by the blood counts and bone marrow findings.
CMML is very rare and is not to be confused with CML, or chronic myeloid leukemia, which affects the myeloid cells in the blood and bone marrow.
There are several types of myeloproliferative disorders, and each require their own type of unique treatment.
Learn more about treatment for CMML.