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R&B Singer Etta James had CML

Etta James- legendary R&B singer, died this week. She was 73. I have always  been a big fan, and I was saddened by this news- she had just released a new album.

Today I heard that she had been diagnosed with a 'chronic leukaemia' lin late 2010, which her doctor had described as 'incurable'..... suprising as the 'chronic leukaemia' turned out to be CML!

Sandy

"BREAKING: Etta James Dies at 73, R&B, Blues Legend Succumbs to Cancer"

January 21, 2012
http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/285178/20120121/breaking-etta-james-dies-73-r-b.htm

"Etta James Faces Terminal Illness"
By Dr. M on December 19, 2011
http://www.celebritydiagnosis.com/2011/12/etta-james-faces-terminal-illness/

"Her physician Dr. Elaine James (no relation) announced that Ms.
James has chronic leukemia which can not be cured."

Hi Sandy,

I understand that CML cannot be cured with TKI's but controlled, but I did think it was curable with a BMT? Do you think her doctor meant her personal Leukemia couldn't be cure, due to her health, age or stage?

It is sad that she lost her fight, there have been too many loses to CML of late and it has really made me sad, but it has also made me grateful for what I have and enjoy life.

 Liz. x

 

Hi Liz,

yes.. you are right, currently the consensus is that TKIs do not cure (but in some cases- eg those who are part of the responding cohorts in the stopping imatinib (STIM) trials they might prove to be 'curative'- we have yet to find out why this might be possible).

But 'cure' is a difficult word to grapple with once you have a diagnosis of cancer. Yes you are right that transplantation can 'potentially' cure- again we have to contextualise what we mean by cure- the possibility of relapse remains with transplant.

Etta James was diagnosed with CML- but she had other serious co-morbidities and was also struggling with alzheimers and had various drug dependancies too. So not an easy case for any haematologist to manage I imaginge.

For me, her musical legacy is immense  ....the fact that I have always been a big fan and that she died from CML in the end is significant, to me. In some of my more difficult moments, music lifts me and gives me the strength to be positive again.

Greg Stephens of the National CML Society has uploaded a tribute to Etta on their website here..... http://www.nationalcmlsociety.org/ncmls-remembers-legendary-etta-james

Best wishes,

Sandy