Polycythemia vera

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Polycythemia vera
Blood smear showing polycythemia vera
Synonyms	Primary polycythemia, polycythemia rubra vera, Vaquez's disease
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Headache, dizziness, itching, redness of the skin, fatigue, blurred vision, splenomegaly
Complications	Thrombosis, myelofibrosis, acute myeloid leukemia
Onset	Typically in adults over 60
Duration	Long-term
Types	N/A
Causes	JAK2 mutation
Risks	Age, family history
Diagnosis	Complete blood count, bone marrow biopsy, JAK2 mutation test
Differential diagnosis	Secondary polycythemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, essential thrombocythemia
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Phlebotomy, hydroxyurea, interferon-alpha, ruxolitinib
Medication	Aspirin, hydroxyurea, ruxolitinib
Prognosis	Variable, risk of complications
Frequency	1-3 per 100,000 people per year
Deaths	Approximately 1.6 per 100,000 people per year

Erythromelalgia

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare type of blood disorder in which the body produces too many red blood cells. This overproduction can lead to thickening of the blood, which can cause blood clots, stroke, or other health problems. PV is a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm, a group of blood cancers that affect the normal production of blood cells in the bone marrow.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of polycythemia vera can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, while others may experience severe symptoms. Common symptoms of PV include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, itching, and night sweats. In some cases, people with PV may also experience abdominal pain due to an enlarged spleen.

Causes

Polycythemia vera is caused by a mutation in the JAK2 gene. This gene provides instructions for making a protein that promotes the growth and division of cells. When the JAK2 gene is mutated, it can lead to the overproduction of red blood cells.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of polycythemia vera is often made through a series of blood tests. These tests can show an increase in the number of red blood cells and a decrease in the level of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells. In some cases, a bone marrow biopsy may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment of polycythemia vera is aimed at reducing the number of red blood cells in the body and preventing complications such as blood clots. This can be achieved through various methods, including phlebotomy, medication, and in some cases, radiation therapy.

See Also

• Myeloproliferative neoplasm
• Blood disorders
• JAK2

External Links

• National Cancer Institute: Polycythemia Vera Treatment