The accelerated phase of leukemia refers to a stage of the disease in which leukemia cells grow and divide more quickly than usual, leading to an increase in the number of abnormal cells in the bone marrow and blood. The accelerated phase is considered an intermediate stage between the early, or chronic, phase and the later, or blast crisis, phase of the disease.
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. In the accelerated phase, leukemia cells may become more resistant to treatment, and individuals may experience more severe symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Additionally, the bone marrow may become less able to produce normal blood cells, leading to anemia, bleeding problems, and an increased risk of infections.
The accelerated phase is typically diagnosed through blood tests and bone marrow biopsies, which can identify an increase in the number of immature blood cells and changes in the structure of chromosomes. Treatment of the accelerated phase of leukemia typically involves more intensive chemotherapy regimens, as well as bone marrow or stem cell transplantation in some cases.
It is important to note that the prognosis for individuals with the accelerated phase of leukemia is generally worse than for those in the chronic phase, but better than for those in the blast crisis phase. Early detection and treatment can improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with leukemia.
