Polycythemia

Share on Pinterest Photography courtesy of The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology/Wikimedia In rare cases, scar tissue may replace the bone marrow. When this happens, the bone marrow can no longer produce enough healthy blood cells. Experts refer to this condition, which is a type of chronic leukemia, as myelofibrosis (MF). It can sometimes lead to acute myeloid leukemia, though this is rare. People with PV have a shorter-than-average life expectancy. Some of the possible complications of the disease can be life threatening. Getting treatment can help reduce the risk of certain complications from PV, including blood clots. As a result, a person will likely lead a longer and healthier life with this disease if they receive treatment. According to an article in Blood Cancer Journal, the median survival time for people with PV is Younger people tend to live for longer with the disease. Research suggests that the median survival time for those under 60 years of age is Multiple factors affect the outlook and life expectancy of people with PV, including: • age and overall health • presence or absence of certain genetic abnormalities • levels of white blood cells • development of blood clots, myelofibrosis, or other complications Blood clots are the most common cause of death in people with PV. When blood clots form in blood vessels, they can block the flow of blood to vital organs. This can lead to life threatening complications, such as stroke, heart attack, and venous thrombo...

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare disorder that affects blood cell and platelet production. The early stages of polycythemia vera often cause nonspecific symptoms, but advanced stages can lead to myelofibrosis and other severe complications. PV Below, we describe the different stages of PV and how healthcare providers may treat this disease. Share on Pinterest Marcos Calvo/Getty Images Symptoms of PV tend to In the early stages, the condition may cause no apparent symptoms. A healthcare professional may diagnose it following a routine blood test before any symptoms develop. As time passes, more noticeable symptoms may occur. The disease may also cause complications such as an enlarged spleen, chest pain, a heart attack, or a stroke. PV may eventually lead to myelofibrosis (MF). This happens when scar tissue replaces the bone marrow. Experts sometimes call this the “spent phase” of PV. In the early stages of PV, a person may not have noticeable symptoms. Any symptoms that appear are For example, early symptoms may include: • fatigue • weakness • dizziness • a headache • unusual sweating, particularly at night • itchy skin, which may get worse after a warm bath or shower Less common symptoms include: • red skin, especially on the face • frequent nosebleeds • bleeding gums • easy bruising • ringing ears • blurred vision • a burning sensation on the skin, especially of the hands and feet • heavy bleeding from small cuts Also, people with PV have an increased risk of blood clots...

We treat every type of cancer, including the most important one: yours. With cancer, where you get treated first matters. From diagnosis to treatment, our experts provide the care and support you need, when you need it. • • Adults • • • • • Children & Teens • • • • • Support, Services & Programs • • • • • • Cancer News & Discoveries • • • About Us Back to top Polycythemia vera develops slowly when bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. This can lead to a thickening of the blood. The condition is thought to be caused in part by a mutation in a gene called JAK2. Normally, JAK2 regulates the production of different types of blood cells, keeping them in balance. More than 95 percent of people with polycythemia vera have a mutation in JAK2 that leads to the production of too many red blood cells. Scientists think people develop the mutation, rather than inherit it from a parent. Our research, however, suggests that people can inherit a genetic abnormality that increases their risk of developing a JAK2 mutation. Polycythemia vera usually doesn’t cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. After progressing, it may cause headaches, shortness of breath, bleeding, dizziness, itchiness, or an enlarged spleen. The disease can also increase the likelihood of developing blood clots and the risk of stroke. Polycythemia vera is usually diagnosed through a blood test, if the test reveals abnormal levels of red blood cells. To confirm the diagnosis, we also may recommend a bon...

Symptoms of a high red blood cell count include headache and fatigue. • Polycythemia means increased red blood cell volume. • Polycythemia is divided into two main categories; primary and secondary. • Polycythemia can be linked to secondary causes, such as chronic • Abnormally increased red cell production in the bone marrow causes polycythemia vera. • Treatment of secondary polycythemia is dependent on the underlying condition. • Polycythemia is treated by phlebotomy (controlled bloodletting) and What is polycythemia? Polycythemia definition Polycythemia is a condition that results in an increased level of circulating Polycythemia is normally reported in terms of increased • Hematocrit ( • Hemoglobin ( Polycythemia can be divided into two categories: primary and secondary. • Primary polycythemia: In primary polycythemia, the increase in red blood cells is caused by inherent problems in the process of red blood cell production. • Secondary polycythemia: Secondary polycythemia generally occurs as a response to other factors or underlying conditions that promote red blood cell production. Red cell production (erythropoiesis) takes place in the bone marrow through a complex sequence of tightly regulated steps. The main regulator of red cell production is the hormone Erythropoietin secretion is up-regulated in response to low oxygen levels ( SLIDESHOW Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Tests, Causes, Treatments See Slideshow What are the symptoms and signs of polycythemia? Polycy...

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare disorder that affects blood cell and platelet production. The early stages of polycythemia vera often cause nonspecific symptoms, but advanced stages can lead to myelofibrosis and other severe complications. PV Below, we describe the different stages of PV and how healthcare providers may treat this disease. Share on Pinterest Marcos Calvo/Getty Images Symptoms of PV tend to In the early stages, the condition may cause no apparent symptoms. A healthcare professional may diagnose it following a routine blood test before any symptoms develop. As time passes, more noticeable symptoms may occur. The disease may also cause complications such as an enlarged spleen, chest pain, a heart attack, or a stroke. PV may eventually lead to myelofibrosis (MF). This happens when scar tissue replaces the bone marrow. Experts sometimes call this the “spent phase” of PV. In the early stages of PV, a person may not have noticeable symptoms. Any symptoms that appear are For example, early symptoms may include: • fatigue • weakness • dizziness • a headache • unusual sweating, particularly at night • itchy skin, which may get worse after a warm bath or shower Less common symptoms include: • red skin, especially on the face • frequent nosebleeds • bleeding gums • easy bruising • ringing ears • blurred vision • a burning sensation on the skin, especially of the hands and feet • heavy bleeding from small cuts Also, people with PV have an increased risk of blood clots...

We treat every type of cancer, including the most important one: yours. With cancer, where you get treated first matters. From diagnosis to treatment, our experts provide the care and support you need, when you need it. • • Adults • • • • • Children & Teens • • • • • Support, Services & Programs • • • • • • Cancer News & Discoveries • • • About Us Back to top Polycythemia vera develops slowly when bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. This can lead to a thickening of the blood. The condition is thought to be caused in part by a mutation in a gene called JAK2. Normally, JAK2 regulates the production of different types of blood cells, keeping them in balance. More than 95 percent of people with polycythemia vera have a mutation in JAK2 that leads to the production of too many red blood cells. Scientists think people develop the mutation, rather than inherit it from a parent. Our research, however, suggests that people can inherit a genetic abnormality that increases their risk of developing a JAK2 mutation. Polycythemia vera usually doesn’t cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. After progressing, it may cause headaches, shortness of breath, bleeding, dizziness, itchiness, or an enlarged spleen. The disease can also increase the likelihood of developing blood clots and the risk of stroke. Polycythemia vera is usually diagnosed through a blood test, if the test reveals abnormal levels of red blood cells. To confirm the diagnosis, we also may recommend a bon...

Share on Pinterest Photography courtesy of The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology/Wikimedia In rare cases, scar tissue may replace the bone marrow. When this happens, the bone marrow can no longer produce enough healthy blood cells. Experts refer to this condition, which is a type of chronic leukemia, as myelofibrosis (MF). It can sometimes lead to acute myeloid leukemia, though this is rare. People with PV have a shorter-than-average life expectancy. Some of the possible complications of the disease can be life threatening. Getting treatment can help reduce the risk of certain complications from PV, including blood clots. As a result, a person will likely lead a longer and healthier life with this disease if they receive treatment. According to an article in Blood Cancer Journal, the median survival time for people with PV is Younger people tend to live for longer with the disease. Research suggests that the median survival time for those under 60 years of age is Multiple factors affect the outlook and life expectancy of people with PV, including: • age and overall health • presence or absence of certain genetic abnormalities • levels of white blood cells • development of blood clots, myelofibrosis, or other complications Blood clots are the most common cause of death in people with PV. When blood clots form in blood vessels, they can block the flow of blood to vital organs. This can lead to life threatening complications, such as stroke, heart attack, and venous thrombo...

Symptoms of a high red blood cell count include headache and fatigue. • Polycythemia means increased red blood cell volume. • Polycythemia is divided into two main categories; primary and secondary. • Polycythemia can be linked to secondary causes, such as chronic • Abnormally increased red cell production in the bone marrow causes polycythemia vera. • Treatment of secondary polycythemia is dependent on the underlying condition. • Polycythemia is treated by phlebotomy (controlled bloodletting) and What is polycythemia? Polycythemia definition Polycythemia is a condition that results in an increased level of circulating Polycythemia is normally reported in terms of increased • Hematocrit ( • Hemoglobin ( Polycythemia can be divided into two categories: primary and secondary. • Primary polycythemia: In primary polycythemia, the increase in red blood cells is caused by inherent problems in the process of red blood cell production. • Secondary polycythemia: Secondary polycythemia generally occurs as a response to other factors or underlying conditions that promote red blood cell production. Red cell production (erythropoiesis) takes place in the bone marrow through a complex sequence of tightly regulated steps. The main regulator of red cell production is the hormone Erythropoietin secretion is up-regulated in response to low oxygen levels ( SLIDESHOW Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Tests, Causes, Treatments See Slideshow What are the symptoms and signs of polycythemia? Polycy...

We treat every type of cancer, including the most important one: yours. With cancer, where you get treated first matters. From diagnosis to treatment, our experts provide the care and support you need, when you need it. • • Adults • • • • • Children & Teens • • • • • Support, Services & Programs • • • • • • Cancer News & Discoveries • • • About Us Back to top Polycythemia vera develops slowly when bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. This can lead to a thickening of the blood. The condition is thought to be caused in part by a mutation in a gene called JAK2. Normally, JAK2 regulates the production of different types of blood cells, keeping them in balance. More than 95 percent of people with polycythemia vera have a mutation in JAK2 that leads to the production of too many red blood cells. Scientists think people develop the mutation, rather than inherit it from a parent. Our research, however, suggests that people can inherit a genetic abnormality that increases their risk of developing a JAK2 mutation. Polycythemia vera usually doesn’t cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. After progressing, it may cause headaches, shortness of breath, bleeding, dizziness, itchiness, or an enlarged spleen. The disease can also increase the likelihood of developing blood clots and the risk of stroke. Polycythemia vera is usually diagnosed through a blood test, if the test reveals abnormal levels of red blood cells. To confirm the diagnosis, we also may recommend a bon...

Share on Pinterest Photography courtesy of The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology/Wikimedia In rare cases, scar tissue may replace the bone marrow. When this happens, the bone marrow can no longer produce enough healthy blood cells. Experts refer to this condition, which is a type of chronic leukemia, as myelofibrosis (MF). It can sometimes lead to acute myeloid leukemia, though this is rare. People with PV have a shorter-than-average life expectancy. Some of the possible complications of the disease can be life threatening. Getting treatment can help reduce the risk of certain complications from PV, including blood clots. As a result, a person will likely lead a longer and healthier life with this disease if they receive treatment. According to an article in Blood Cancer Journal, the median survival time for people with PV is Younger people tend to live for longer with the disease. Research suggests that the median survival time for those under 60 years of age is Multiple factors affect the outlook and life expectancy of people with PV, including: • age and overall health • presence or absence of certain genetic abnormalities • levels of white blood cells • development of blood clots, myelofibrosis, or other complications Blood clots are the most common cause of death in people with PV. When blood clots form in blood vessels, they can block the flow of blood to vital organs. This can lead to life threatening complications, such as stroke, heart attack, and venous thrombo...