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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Polycythemia Vera: Treatment of Polycythemia Vera

Polycythemia Vera

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Calling Your Health Care Provider

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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


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Polycythemia Vera Treatment

The objective of treatment is to reduce the high blood viscosity (thickness of the blood) due to the increased red blood cell mass and to prevent hemorrhage and thrombosis.

Phlebotomy is one method used to reduce the high blood viscosity. In phlebotomy, 1 unit (pint) of blood is removed weekly until the hematocrit is less than 45, then phlebotomy is continued as necessary.

Occasionally, chemotherapy may be given to suppress the bone marrow.

The use of anti-platelet therapy (such as aspirin) is controversial because it may cause gastric bleeding.

Allopurinol is given for hyperuricemia (gout).



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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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