What is the estimated prevalence of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) in the United States?

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Last updated: January 11, 2026 • View editorial policy

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Estimated Prevalence of CMML in the United States

The prevalence of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) in the United States is estimated to be in the range of several thousand to low tens of thousands of patients, based on an annual incidence of approximately 0.63 per 100,000 Americans. 1, 2

Incidence and Prevalence Data

  • CMML has an overall age-adjusted incidence of 0.63 per 100,000 Americans per year, making it a rare hematologic malignancy 2

  • The incidence has been rising steadily between 2001 and 2019 in the United States, likely reflecting improved diagnostic recognition and an aging population 2

  • CMML is the most common subtype within the MDS/MPN overlap syndrome category, which was formally recognized as a distinct entity in the 2008 WHO classification 1, 3

  • The National Comprehensive Cancer Network estimates that the overall prevalence of all MDS/MPN disorders combined (including CMML, atypical CML, and other subtypes) is likely in the range of several thousand to low tens of thousands of patients 1

Demographic Characteristics

  • The median age at diagnosis is 75 years, with CMML predominantly affecting older adults 2

  • Males comprise 62.9% of CMML patients, showing a clear male predominance 2

  • White patients represent 90.1% of diagnosed cases, though this may reflect healthcare access disparities rather than true biological differences 2

Context Within MDS/MPN Disorders

  • CMML represents a larger proportion of MDS/MPN cases compared to other subtypes like atypical CML (which has an incidence of only 0.03 per 100,000 per year) 2

  • The rarity of MDS/MPN disorders overall is reflected in transplant registry data showing only 86 MDS/MPN-NOS patients undergoing transplant in Japan between 2001-2017, and 120 patients with MDS/MPN undergoing haploidentical transplantation in North America 1

Clinical Implications of Rarity

  • The lack of precise prevalence data reflects both the rarity and diagnostic complexity of CMML, as it requires persistent monocytosis (>1,000/mcL for ≥3 months) and exclusion of other causes 4, 5

  • The progressive aging of the U.S. population is expected to increase the documented disease burden in the near future 1

References

1
Guideline

MDS/MPN Prevalence and Epidemiology

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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