The event, themed ‘Leukemia, every advance counts’, will focus on the clinical and psychological aspects of these diseases. Two presentations will be delivered by professionals from the hospital: Alicia Rodríguez, Head of the Hematology Service, and Alberto Martínez, a hematologist. They will discuss diagnosis, evaluation, progression, and new therapeutic horizons for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia.
Currently, the Hematology Service at Virgen Macarena treats approximately 300 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and around 120 with chronic myeloid leukemia. In research, the service has been involved in 13 multicenter trials and nine observational studies concerning both pathologies.
Leukemia is a blood cancer originating in the bone marrow. The distinction between chronic lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia lies in the affected blood cell type and the disease mechanism. The former is characterized by the accumulation of B lymphocytes, while the latter is associated with the BCR::ABL1 alteration and the proliferation of myeloid lineage cells.
The chronic nature of these leukemias generally implies a slower progression than acute leukemias. However, their severity and treatment depend on each patient's individual characteristics, highlighting the importance of personalized treatments offered by the hospital's service.
