Kareem Diagnosed With a Rare Leukemia

LOS ANGELES (myFOXla.com) - NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar disclosed in an interview published on Tuesday that he suffers from a rare form of leukemia, but the Lakers legend said his long-term prognosis is very good.

The 62-year-old Abdul-Jabbar revealed during an interview with the Los Angeles times Monday that he has Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that produces cancerous blood cells.

The disease was diagnosed in December. But Abdul-Jabbar said his condition can be managed by taking oral medication daily, seeing his specialist every other month and getting his blood analyzed regularly. He told The Times he expects to lead a healthy life.

Abdul-Jabbar acknowledged he was scared after visiting his doctor and learning of the diagnosis.

"The word `leukemia' is a very frightening word," he told The Times in a phone interview from New York. "In many instances, it's a killer and it's something that you have to deal with in a very serious and determined way if you're going to beat it."

Medical studies have shown that many patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who are treated can control the disease without its progressing to a move advanced stage.

Abdul-Jabbar told The Times that he is being treated with a medicine that specifically targets the abnormal protein that causes leukemia. "I responded well to the treatment," he said. "I just want that to continue to keep happening."

More info:

For more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society National Resource Center call, 310-342-5800 and/or 800-955-4572.

www.lls.org