WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Jorge Cortes, M.D., an expert on leukemia, will discuss novel treatment approaches for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in a free telephone workshop entitled CML: A Model in Cancer Therapy. The program is scheduled for Thursday, Sep. 20, 2007, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET.
The program is being offered by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the leading source of information and support for patients battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Novartis.
Dr. Cortes is the deputy chair for the department of leukemia and professor of medicine and internist at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. His presentation will address the latest treatment options, emerging therapies, the role of clinical trials and quality of life considerations. A question-and-answer period will follow.
"Dr. Cortes will discuss the promising advances in CML treatment, and provide guidance on the importance of monitoring CML treatment and progress," says Robin Kornhaber, M.S.W., The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's senior vice president of patient services.
The program is approved for 1.0 Continuing Education Unit for nurses and social workers upon verification of completion.
Registration
Registrants will receive an information packet and toll-free dial-in number within 48 hours of signing up. Participants can register online through www.lls.org/cmllinks or by phone at (866) 992-9950 ext. 302.
About Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
CML is called by several names, including chronic granulocytic, chronic myelocytic or chronic myeloid leukemia. CML results from a change to the DNA of a stem cell in the marrow. Scientists do not yet understand what produces this change in the DNA, which is not present at birth.
The stem cell's changed DNA gives the malignant (cancerous) cell a growth and survival advantage over a normal stem cell. The resulting uncontrolled growth of white cells, if left untreated, will lead to a massive increase in their concentration in the blood. CML does not completely interfere with the development of mature red cells, white cells and platelets; these cells can generally continue to function normally. This is an important distinction from acute leukemia and accounts for the less severe early course of chronic leukemias.
About 4,570 people in the United States will learn they have CML in 2007 in the United States. About 21,501 people in the United States are living with CML. There will be an estimated 490 deaths from CML this year.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $550 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 5.1 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level oncology social workers and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
CONTACT: Andrea Greif (914) 821-8958
The Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyCONTACT: Andrea Greif for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, +1-914-821-8958
