How to monitor patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia

The introduction of imatinib has radically altered the treatment options and, perhaps, prognosis for patients with newly diagnosed chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, although the majority of patients appear to benefit from this agent, it is important to recognize as early as possible the patients who experience a suboptimal response and those who may be at risk of disease progression. This article reviews current available methods of monitoring and provides recommendations for appropriate follow up of imatinib-treated patients.