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Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
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For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
- Supportive Therapy for the Person with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
- Chemotherapy for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
- Growth Factors and Similar Medicines for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
- Radiation Therapy for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
- Surgery for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
- Stem Cell Transplant for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
- General Approach to Treating Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
- References: Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
- If You Have Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
Surgery for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)
Surgery is rarely used to treat chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), because the leukemia cells are throughout the body.
Sometimes, surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy) may be an option if it is enlarged, causing problems, and other treatments aren't helpful.
Like all surgery, this has risks related to anesthesia, bleeding, and wound infection. Also, since the spleen helps protect against infection, removing it can increase the risk of severe infections. If you are considering having your spleen removed, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You may also need to get vaccines to help prevent certain infections if you're going to have your spleen removed.
To learn more about surgery in general, see Cancer Surgery.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines): Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Version 1.2024. Accessed at https://www.nccn.org on May 18, 2024.
Padron E. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: Management and prognosis. UpToDate. 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-myelomonocytic-leukemia-management-and-prognosis on May 18, 2024.
Last Revised: May 21, 2024
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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