POLYCYTHEMIA VERA

Polycythemia vera is a form of cancer of the blood. It causes your bone marrow to produce an excessive amount of red blood cells. These extra cells thicken your blood, delaying its flow and increasing your risk of blood clots.

Furthermore, polycythemia vera is an unusual condition that affects the immune system of the body. If not treated, it can be fatal, but good medical care can relieve symptoms. 

SYMPTOMS

Many people with polycythemia vera don’t show any symptoms or signs. Symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision may appear in some people.

More specific polycythemia vera symptoms include:

  • Itchiness, particularly after a hot bath
  • Breathing difficulty when lying down
  • Bleeding that is unusual, such as bleeding gums or nose bleeding
  • Swelling of a single joint, usually the big toe, that causes pain
  • Tingling, weakness, numbness, or burning in your legs, feet, or hands
  • Bloating or pain in your upper left abdomen after eating, which may indicate an enlarged spleen

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will take a thorough medical history and administer the following medical examinations:

Blood tests

Blood tests may reveal the following if you have polycythemia vera:

  • There are more red blood cells than usual, as well as an increase in platelets.
  • Red blood cells account for a greater proportion of the total blood volume.
  • Increased iron-rich protein levels that transport oxygen in hemoglobin

Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy

Your doctor may advise you to have an aspiration of bone marrow or a biopsy if you have polycythemia vera. A biopsy of the bone marrow entails taking a sample of solid bone marrow material and performing an aspiration at the same time. The liquid portion of your bone marrow is extracted during an aspiration.

TREATMENT

Polycythemia vera has no known cure. The treatment focuses on lowering your chances of complications. These treatments may also vary, depending on your symptoms.

For blood withdrawals, the most common treatment for the condition is phlebotomy, which is the same procedure used for the donation of blood. This reduces your blood volume and the number of extra blood cells in your body.

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