Also known as Polycythemia rubra vera

ABOUT THE DISEASE

Polycythemia vera or Polycythemia rubra vera is a rare blood disorder where too many red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. Platelets and white blood cells may also increase in number. It usually develops slowly, and may remain asymptomatic for years and is often found during a blood test done for some other reason. Most of the patients are above 55 years of age and is more common in males than females.

These extra cells accumulate in blood making it thick and viscous and can lead to complications like blood clots and bleeding. Over time, there`s a risk of progressing to more-serious blood cancers, such as myelofibrosis or acute leukemia.

SYMPTOMS

It may be asymptomatic or produce symptoms like:

• • Headache
• • Blurred vision
• • Dizziness
• • Weakness
• • Itchy skin
• • Excessive sweating
• • Painful swelling of one joint, often the big toe
• • Shortness of breath
• • Feeling of fullness or bloating in left upper abdomen due to an enlarged spleen

CAUSES

PV is usually associated with a gene mutation called JAK2V617F.

DIAGNOSIS

- Blood test (Increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit, TRBC count)
- Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy
- Tests for the gene mutation that causes polycythemia vera

TREATMENT METHODS

The goal of treatment is to reduce the number of cells in the blood. Treatment may include:

• Venesection (Phlebotomy), where a controlled amount of blood is removed from bloodstream
• Low-dose aspirin
• Myelosuppressive drugs
• Interferon
• Radioactive Phosphorus (32P)

You may also like to learn about:

Leukemia
Thrombosis
Stroke
Headache
Vision impairment
Myelofibrosis