Black History of Health: Kareem Abdul-Jabar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has built a career of being a dominating force in the NBA. The basketball legend has taken on some of the most aggressive players on the court. One opponent he didn’t think he would ever have to face was cancer.

In 2009, it was announced that the legend was being treated for a rare form of leukemia.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer was diagnosed the prior year with chronic myeloid leukemia. The then 62-year-old Abdul-Jabbar said he was given a promising prognosis, which clearly met the mark as he beat the illness for more than a decade until he announced last year that he had prostate cancer.

Fortunately, the NBA Cares ambassador revealed that he was a two-time cancer survivor and aimed to educate more people on the illnesses. Although both forms of cancer deserve attention, his rare type of Leukemia has left many daunted.

What is chronic myeloid leukemia?

The American Cancer Society says that cancer starts when cells in the body start to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer and can spread to other parts of the body.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is also known as chronic myelogenous leukemia. It’s a type of cancer that starts in certain blood-forming cells of the bone marrow.

The American Cancer Society explains that in CML, a genetic change takes place in an early (immature) version of myeloid cells — the cells that make red blood cells, platelets, and most types of white blood cells (except lymphocytes).

This change forms an abnormal gene called BCR-ABL, which turns the cell into a CML cell. The leukemia cells grow and divide, building up in the bone marrow and spilling over into the blood.

In time, the cells can also settle in other parts of the body, including the spleen. CML is a fairly slow-growing leukemia, but it can change into a fast-growing acute leukemia that’s hard to treat.

What are the treatments?

The treatment options for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) vary based on the disease phase—chronic, accelerated, or blast—along with factors like age, overall health, and the availability of a suitable stem cell donor. Here’s a breakdown of the standard treatments for each phase:

Chronic Phase

1. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs):

The primary treatment for chronic phase CML involves the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). These drugs specifically target the BCR-ABL protein, which is responsible for the uncontrolled growth of leukemia cells in CML.
In cases where the initial TKI fails to work effectively or becomes less effective over time, a higher dose may be administered, or a different TKI may be prescribed.
If a person experiences significant side effects from the first TKI, switching to another TKI is a viable alternative.
In scenarios where the leukemia cells develop the T315I mutation, a more potent TKI may be considered as a treatment option.

2. Stem Cell Transplant (SCT):

Though less common in the chronic phase, some patients may undergo an allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT). This involves replacing the patient’s diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells from a compatible donor. This option is typically reserved for specific cases, such as when other treatments have failed, or when the disease progresses to a more advanced stage.

Accelerated and Blast Phases

The treatment approach becomes more aggressive in the accelerated and blast phases, often involving combinations of TKIs, chemotherapy, and potentially a stem cell transplant. The goal is to regain control over the disease and return it to the chronic phase if possible.

It’s important to discuss these options with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on your specific condition.

By Jasmine Browley | Published October 15, 2021