Q: My mother is undergoing treatment for CML for the last one year. Recently, a wound had developed on the back side of both of her feet. Despite the antibiotics given by the doctor, it hasn’t healed completely. Is it possible for it to heal completely?

A:The integrity of the skin is maintained by a tightly controlled mechanism involving skin cells called keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and immune cells. They act in concert via chemicals called cytokines. This can be affected by the disease itself or by action of drugs like imatinib, which is used to treat CML. Your doctor needs to look into it and see what needs to be done to promote wound healing. There are several options ranging from regular wound dressing to skin grafting available.