Can Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) Be Prevented?
There are no risk factors for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) that can be controlled easily. Because of this, there are no easy ways to lower your risk or prevent CMML.
Treating cancer with chemotherapy and radiation can increase a person’s risk of CMML (as well as some other types of leukemia). Doctors are studying ways to limit this risk in people gettiNoneng these treatments.
In some cancers, doctors may try to avoid using the chemotherapy drugs that are more likely to lead to leukemia. For certain cancers, however, these drugs may be needed.
Often, the obvious benefits of treating life-threatening cancers with chemotherapy and radiation therapy must be balanced against the small chance of developing CMML or another type of leukemia several years later.
- Written by
- References
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
National Cancer Institute. Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Treatment (PDQ) – Health Professional Version. 2024. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative/hp/mds-mpd-treatment-pdq on January 23, 2025.
Padron E. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: Management and prognosis. UpToDate. 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-myelomonocytic-leukemia-management-and-prognosis on January 23, 2025.
Padron E, Gurbuxani S. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia: Clinical features, evaluation, and diagnosis. UpToDate. 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-myelomonocytic-leukemia-clinical-features-evaluation-and-diagnosis on January 23, 2025.
Last Revised: March 7, 2025
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
American Cancer Society Emails
Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the American Cancer Society.
