Polycythemia Vera

Question: Polycythemia vera? One of my very close friend have the problem of "Polycythemia vera" . any one there to suggest any medicine of any way to solve this?

Answer: Polycythemia vera : Alternative names Primary polycythemia; Polycythemia rubra vera; Myeloproliferative disorder; Erythremia; Splenomegalic polycythemia; Vaquez's disease; Osler's disease; Polycythemia with chronic cyanosis - Myelopathic polycythemia; Erythrocytosis megalosplenica; Cryptogenic polycythemia Definition : Polycythemia vera is an abnormal increase in blood cells (primarily red blood cells) resulting from excess production by the bone marrow. Causes, incidence, and risk factors : Polycythemia vera is an acquired disorder of the bone marrow that causes the overproduction of all three blood cell lines: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. It is a rare disease that occurs more frequently in men than women, and rarely in patients under 40 years old. It is not known what causes polycythemia vera. The disease usually develops slowly, and most patients do not experience any problems related to the disease after being diagnosed. However, the abnormal bone marrow cells may begin to grow uncontrollably in some patients leading to acute myelogenous leukemia. Patients with polycythemia vera also have an increased tendency to form blood clots that can result in strokes or heart attacks. Some patients may experience abnormal bleeding because their platelets are abnormal. Symptoms : Headache Dizziness Itchiness, especially following a warm bath Fullness in the left upper abdomen Red coloration, especially of the face Shortness of breath Breathing difficulty when lying down Symptoms of phlebitis Note: Symptoms are due to increased blood viscosity (thickness) and clotting. Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease: Vision abnormalities Skin spots, red Bluish skin discoloration Fatigue Signs and tests Return to top A CBC with differential Hematocrit, elevated White blood count, elevated Platelet count, elevated Bone marrow biopsy Vitamin B-12 level Chemistry panel Blood volume, increased This disease may also alter the results of the following tests: Lactate dehydrogenase Urinalysis Serum uric acid TIBC RBC count Platelet aggregation test Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase Hemoglobin ESR Erythropoietin Treatment : -The objective of treatment is to reduce the high blood viscosity (thickness of the blood) due to the increased red blood cell mass and to prevent hemorrhage and thrombosis. -Phlebotomy is one method used to reduce the high blood viscosity. In phlebotomy, 1 unit (pint) of blood is removed weekly until the hematocrit is less than 45, then phlebotomy is continued as necessary. -Occasionally, chemotherapy may be given to suppress the bone marrow. Other agents such as interferon may be given to lower blood counts. Anegrelide may be given to lower platelet counts. -The use of anti-platelet therapy (such as aspirin) is controversial because it may cause stomach bleeding. -Allopurinol is given for hyperuricemia (gout). Expectations (prognosis) : Polycythemia vera usually develops slowly, and most patients treated appropriately do not experience any problems related to the disease. However, the abnormal bone marrow cells may begin to grow uncontrollably leading to acute myelogenous leukemia. This occurs in a minority of cases. Patients with polycythemia vera also have an increased tendency to form blood clots that can result in strokes or heart attacks. Some patients may experience abnormal bleeding because their platelets are abnormal. Complications Thrombosis (a cause of stroke or heart attack) Peptic ulcer disease Gastric bleeding Gout Leukemia Heart failure Myelofibrosis

Question: Polycythemia Vera? Does anyone know of the future of a person Diognosed with Polycythemia Vera? caused by smoking.....treatment & life expectency???? Thanks for your help in this answer. Thank You...My Husband was Just diagnosed with this, you have helped with this info VERY MUCH! I checked it it. Appreciate it.

Answer: Polycythemia vera is an acquired condition caused by a mutation in a bone marrow cell. It has not been proven that smoking causes this mutation. The Mayo Clinic has the best information in the Internet for most healthcare questions. Read about polycythemia vera at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polycyt… Medline Plus is also an excellent source. Try http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/…

Question: What is the life expectancy of a 21 year old diagnosed with polycythemia vera? My brother is 21 and due to a blood test where his hemoglobin, calcium, and red blood count was high he went to see a hemotologist and was diagnosed with polycythemia vera. This is a very rare blood condition and usually only effects men aged 50 and older. I know that with proper treatment a survival rate of 10-15 years is expected but that is based on the median age of 60, what would my brothers be since he is so young?

Answer: Don't linger too much on "survival rate" quotes. Some people see these automatically as a no hope situation. With the newer treatments people are living longer with PV. The treatment is not the same from patient to patient and is adjusted depending on how well the patient is responding. The goal is to improve quality of life and this leads to a longer life.

Question: What can you tell me about Polycythemia vera? I know it's a from of blood cancer. What is the mortality rate?I've googled it and know a lot from a medical stand point. I'm basically looking for some one who has it and can tell me what they know from personal experience

Answer: its also called primary Polycythemia and occurs mostly in older adults and develops very slowly.. they can have it for years before knowing.. symptoms, headaches, dizzyness, itchey ness especially after a warm bath shower, redness of your skin. shortness of your breath. reading diffaculty while laying down. numbness, tingiling, burning or weekeness in hands feet, legs, a feeling of fullness or bloating in your left upper abdomen, do to an enlarged spleen it in in curable... Ms Evil that is what they thought i had but it turned out to be lymphomascytic Lymphoma and Amyloidosis both at the same time... I had most of the symptoms... this occurs mostly in men... did that help you? ((((((((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))))) Grant

Question: Why are you at risk for infection in polycythemia vera? your wbc are also increased in polycythemia because the bone marrow is so hypperactive. But what makes you at risk for infection?

Answer: PV involves increased production of all cell lines, including RBCs, WBCs, and platelets. Increased production confined to the RBC line is termed primary erythrocytosis. In PV, RBC production proceeds independently of erythropoietin (EPO). Extramedullary hematopoiesis occurs in the spleen, liver, and other sites with the potential for blood cell formation. Peripheral blood cell turnover increases. Eventually, about 25% of patients have reduced RBC survival and inadequate erythropoiesis. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and myelofibrosis may develop, and RBC and WBC precursors are released into the circulation. Depending on treatment received, the incidence of transformation to acute leukemia varies between 1.5% and 10%. In PV, blood volume expands and hyperviscosity develops, predisposing to thrombosis. Platelets function abnormally, predisposing to increased bleeding. Patients may become hypermetabolic. Increased cell turnover produces hyperuricemia. Symptoms and Signs PV itself is often asymptomatic. Occasionally, increased blood volume and viscosity produce weakness, headache, light-headedness, visual disturbances, fatigue, and dyspnea. Pruritus often occurs, particularly after a hot bath. The face may be red and the retinal veins engorged. The lower extremities may be red, warm, and painful, sometimes with digital ischemia (erythromelalgia). Hepatomegaly is common, and > 75% of patients have splenomegaly (which may be massive). Thrombosis can occur in most vessels, resulting in stroke, transient ischemic attack, deep venous thrombosis, MI, retinal artery or vein occlusion, splenic infarction (often with a friction rub), or Budd-Chiari syndrome. Bleeding (typically GI) occurs in 10 to 20% of patients. Complications of hyperuricemia (eg, gout, renal calculi) tend to occur later in PV. Hypermetabolism can cause low-grade fevers and weight loss. Causes of PV: Decreased tissue oxygenation: lung disease, high altitude, intracardiac shunts, hypoventilation syndromes, abnormal Hb, smoking-induced carboxyhemoglobinemia Aberrant erythropoietin production: tumors, cysts Relative (spurious, or Gaisböck's syndrome) Causes PV: Hemoconcentration: diuretics, burns, diarrhea, stress For Diagnosis, read here: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec11/ch141/ch…

Question: What is the life expectancy of people with polycythemia vera?

Answer: I believe it's... around 15 years after the accelerated phase sets in, however, a patient who is caught early and appropriately treated should live a normal life span. Make sure, but I think that's right.

Question: I am a 26-yr-old female and my doctor says I have either polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia. I hav I am a 26-yr-old female and my doctor says I have either polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia. I have the jak2 mutation, but I am worried he is wrong about my diagnosis because I am so young (everything I read says this effects the old). Symptoms: High red blood cells 14 High platelets 600 I am iron depleted. My spleens enlarged

Answer: The cause is unknown but it affects people of all ages. The treatment is simple. They just withdraw a unit of blood like you would if you donated it to keep your red count down. If your spleen becomes to enlarged he may recommend a sleenectomy (removal of the spleen). People can live a normal life with this disease.

Question: Is polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia a form of cancer?

Answer: PV is a neoplastic (cancer) disease. ET can be, but not all cases demonstrate monoclonality of cells, suggesting we have a lot to learn. Primarily they are characterized by stem cell changes which result in unregulated growth in all cell lines in PV and mostly platelets in ET. They are associated with long life usually, but can cause many life-threatening complications. They can degenerate however into true malignancies/cancers, such as acute leukemia.

Question: If my body is producing too many red blood cells, (Polycythemia Vera), will taking Chlorophyll help? I've heard of Veritin helping with this disease. What helps normalize the blood if diagnosed with this disease? Thank you so much.

Answer: Well Veritin is a homeopathic remedy, and there is no clinical evidence that it will help your Polycythemia. The treatment for Primary PV is often taking blood, to help reduce the number of red cells you have in your body, alongside Aspirin to help prevent any clots forming. You would also be given drugs (such as hydroxycarbamide) that help reduce the amount of red cells being produced, which would help normalise the blood. Hope that helps!

Question: Can anyone talk to me about Polycythemia vera? I have been having symptoms like: shortness of breath, headaches, heaviness in the body, and fatigue. I have been recently told by the family docter that my red cell count was abnormally high.

Answer: Polycythemia vera is a rare, chronic disorder where the bone marrow overproduces blood cells. It increases all blood cells: red, white and platelets. The cause is unknown. Symptoms include headaches, weakness, dizziness, and/or a ringing in the ears. Some people also have itching. The spleen and liver can be enlarged. People can also have high blood pressure and develop blood clots.