What is polycythemia vera?
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare type of blood cancer classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). It's a chronic condition where your bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, and often an increased number of white blood cells and platelets as well.
In PV, the excess red blood cells Show Full Answer
What is polycythemia vera?
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare type of blood cancer classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). It's a chronic condition where your bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, and often an increased number of white blood cells and platelets as well.
In PV, the excess red blood cells cause your blood to become thick and slow-moving. This can lead to serious complications like blood clots, which may result in heart attacks, strokes, or deep vein thrombosis. The thickened blood can also cause bleeding problems.
Almost all cases of PV involve a mutation in the JAK2 gene, which makes certain blood cells overly sensitive to erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.
Common symptoms include:
- Facial redness or flushing
- Fatigue and headaches
- Dizziness and shortness of breath
- Itchy skin, especially after warm baths
- Night sweats
- High blood pressure
- Enlarged spleen
While there's no cure for PV, it can be managed effectively with treatments like phlebotomy (blood removal), aspirin, and medications such as hydroxyurea. The condition progresses slowly, and with proper treatment, many people live well with PV for years.
February 17
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