Chronic mast cell leukemia

Chronic mast cell leukemia (also sometimes called chronic MCL) is a very rare and serious blood cancer that involves abnormal mast cells. Mast cells are a type of immune cell normally found in tissues throughout the body. They play an important role in allergic reactions and fighting infections. In chronic mast cell leukemia, these cells grow out of control and build up in the bone marrow, blood, and organs like the liver, spleen, and skin. Unlike the acute form of this disease, the chronic form tends to progress more slowly, but it is still considered a life-threatening condition. People with this disease often experience a wide range of symptoms because mast cells release powerful chemicals that affect many parts of the body. These chemicals can cause severe allergic-like reactions, skin changes, bone pain, and problems with the digestive system. The spleen and liver may become enlarged, causing discomfort and a feeling of fullness. Treatment is focused on controlling the growth of abnormal mast cells and managing symptoms. Targeted therapies, including drugs that block a protein called KIT (such as midostaurin and avapritinib), have improved care for some patients. Stem cell transplant may be considered in certain cases. Because this disease is so rare, care at a specialized center with experience in mast cell diseases is strongly recommended.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.Which form of mast cell leukemia do I have, and how does that affect my treatment options?,Do I have the KIT D816V mutation, and does that change which drugs will work best for me?,Am I a candidate for avapritinib or midostaurin, and what side effects should I expect?,Should I consider a stem cell transplant, and what would that process involve?,Are there any clinical trials I should know about?,What triggers should I avoid to reduce the risk of a severe allergic reaction?,How often will I need bone marrow biopsies and blood tests to monitor the disease?

Common questions about Chronic mast cell leukemia

Related conditions

Other rare diseases commonly researched alongside Chronic mast cell leukemia.

• Acute mast cell leukemia→
• Aggressive systemic mastocytosis→
• Cutaneous mastocytosis→
• Indolent systemic mastocytosis→
• Systemic mastocytosis with associated hematologic neoplasm→