Polycythemia vera

Uncommon card · No. 150241

In oncology, polycythemia vera (PV) is an uncommon myeloproliferative neoplasm in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. Approximately 98% of PV patients have a JAK2 gene mutation in their blood-forming cells (compared with 0.1-0.2% of the general population). Most of the health concerns associated with PV, such as thrombosis, are caused by the blood being thicker as a result of the increased red blood cells. PV may be asymptomatic. Possible symptoms, if any do occur, include fatigue, itching (pruritus), particularly after exposure to warm water, and severe burning pain in the hands or feet that is usually accompanied by a reddish or bluish coloration of the skin. Treatment consists primarily of blood withdrawals (phlebotomy) and oral meds. PV is more common in the elderly.

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