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Why is this cancer most common in adults over 65? What is the reason behind this?
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a cancer that affects white blood cells. The disease is more common in adults over 65 years old, and this may be related to a variety of factors. According to medical reports, the proportion of CML type leukemia in adult leukemia can be as high as 15% to 25%. Because the disease progresses slowly, many patients are diagnosed without any symptoms.
According to statistics, the median age of CML patients is 65 years old, and the incidence of male patients is significantly higher than that of female patients, which provides a clue to the prevalence of the disease.
Analysis of the causes of CML
The exact cause of CML is still unknown, but several risk factors are thought to be associated with its development. Studies have shown that there is a clear correlation between exposure to ionizing radiation and the risk of CML. For example, among survivors of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the incidence of CML is 50 times higher than in the general population. In addition, genetic mutations, particularly a chromosomal translocation known as the Philadelphia chromosome, are strongly associated with the development of the disease.
CML symptoms and diagnosis
CML is mostly diagnosed during the chronic stage of the disease, when most patients have no obvious symptoms and may only have an elevated white blood cell count found during routine examinations. As the disease progresses, some patients may experience symptoms such as hepatosplenomegaly, fever, and night sweats. Diagnosis usually requires blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy to confirm the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome abnormality.
Most CML patients are in the chronic phase at the time of diagnosis, accounting for approximately 85% of patients. During this stage, patients usually experience only mild discomfort.
Why are adults over 65 more likely to develop CML?
As people age, their immune system gradually declines, which greatly reduces their resistance to diseases such as cancer. In addition, compared with young people, the elderly generally have a longer life exposure history and may therefore be more susceptible to accumulating environmental factors that cause genetic damage. These factors make adults over 65 more susceptible to various types of cancer, including CML.
Treatment methods and countermeasures
Since 2001, the emergence of targeted drugs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors, TKIs) has brought revolutionary changes to the treatment of CML. The use of these drugs has significantly improved patients' long-term survival rates. With the advancement of medical technology, the survival of CML patients has improved significantly, and some patients can even achieve a life expectancy close to that of normal people. With the emergence of a variety of new drugs, the treatment of CML is becoming more and more refined, providing patients with more options.
SummaryAlthough chronic myeloid leukemia is a serious disease, treatment options are constantly improving with advances in technology and better understanding. As the aging of society becomes increasingly serious, we cannot help but think: When faced with an increasing number of elderly patients, how should the medical system better adapt to and respond to this challenge?
