Having too many red blood cells is the most prominent clinical sign of polycythemia vera.
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Who Gets Polycythemia Vera?
Polycythemia vera can occur at any age but often happens later in life.
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How Many People Are Affected?
Is It a Cancer or a Disease?
Polycythemia vera also falls under a related group of blood cancers called myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).
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Over time, there is a risk that polycythemia vera can transform into a leukemia.
Learning that you or a loved one has this disorder can understandably be stressful.
However, know that this condition can be managed effectively for very long periods.
The number of white blood cells and platelets may also increase.
The extra blood cells may collect in the spleen and cause it to become enlarged.
They may also cause bleeding problems and make clots form in blood vessels.
Progression of Symptoms
Progression risks for polycythemia vera risks are still being researched.
The burden of this disease remains under research.
For patients with a normal EPO value, bone marrow examination is mandatory for diagnostic confirmation.
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Drug therapy may involve agents that can reduce red cell or platelet concentrationscompounds referred to as myelosuppressive agents.
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