C93: Monocytic leukaemia

C93.1: Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia

Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) is a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow. This disease is characterized by a sustained increase in monocytes, which are white blood cells that fight against infection. As the excess monocytes accumulate, they spill into the bloodstream and can infiltrate into other areas of the body, including the liver, spleen, and skin, causing various symptoms. In the early stages, people with CMML may not show symptoms, but as the disease progresses, they may experience general weakness and fatigue, frequent infections, unexplained weight loss, and easy bruising or bleeding. CMML can also progress to a more aggressive form of leukaemia called acute myeloid leukaemia, where the abnormal cells grow more quickly and displace the healthy cells.