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Polycythemia Vera
Alternate Names : Cryptogenic Polycythemia, Erythremia, Erythrocytosis Megalosplenica, Myeloproliferative Disorder, Osler's Disease, Polycythemia Rubra Vera, Polycythemia with Chronic Cyanosis - Myelopathic Polycythemia, Primary Polycythemia, Splenomegalic Polycythemia, Vaquez's Disease
DefinitionPolycythemia vera is an abnormal increase in blood cells (primarily red blood cells) resulting from excess production by the bone marrow.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Polycythemia vera is an acquired disorder of the bone marrow that causes the overproduction of all three blood cell lines: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
It is a rare disease that occurs more frequently in men than women, and rarely in patients under 40 years old. It is not known what causes polycythemia vera.
The disease usually develops slowly, and most patients do not experience any problems related to the disease after being diagnosed. However, the abnormal bone marrow cells may begin to grow uncontrollably in some patients leading to acute myelogenous leukemia.
Patients with polycythemia vera also have an increased tendency to form blood clots that can result in strokes or heart attacks. Some patients may experience abnormal bleeding because their platelets are abnormal.
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• Definition
• Polycythemia Vera Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Polycythemia Vera Symptoms & Signs
• Polycythemia Vera Diagnosis & Tests
• Polycythemia Vera Treatment
• Polycythemia Vera Prognosis
• Polycythemia Vera Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Gouty Arthritis
• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) - Adult
• Blood Clots
• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
• Peptic Ulcer
• Primary Myelofibrosis
• Stroke
• Thrombophlebitis
Tests & Exams
• Blood Differential
• Bone Marrow Biopsy
• CBC
• CHEM-20
• Erythropoietin
• ESR
• Hematocrit (HCT)
• Hemoglobin
• LDH
• Leukocyte Alkaline Phosphatase (LAP)
• Platelet Aggregation Test
• Platelet Count
• RBC Count
• TIBC
• Urinalysis
• Vitamin B-12 Level
• WBC Count
Other Topics
• Breathing Difficulty
• Breathing Difficulty - Lying Down
• Chemotherapy
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Itching
• Skin Discoloration - Bluish
• Vision Problems
Review Date : 5/10/2002
Reviewed By : William Matsui, M.D., Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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