Through the Microscope: Blood Cells - Life's Blood

Chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL)

Chronic granulocytic leukemia or chronic myelogenous leukemia can occur at any age, but is most common after the age of 45 years. Weight loss and fatigue are often the initial symptoms. There is usually massive spleen enlargement, which may cause left upper abdominal pain. There is anemia, markedly elevated levels of leukocytes, thrombocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia, and a predominance of myelocytes in the peripheral blood. Myeloblasts constitute fewer than 10% of circulating leukocytes. Occasional nucleated red blood cells are seen. The cells depicted in the image below are two myeloblasts and a hypersegmented neutrophil.