group of clonal stem cell disorders characterized by aberrant regulation of proliferation that results in excess production of myeloid elements in the bone marrow.
characterized by overproduction of platelets. Patients
overproduction of erythrocytes, although myeloid cells
usually present in the fifth and sixth decades of life
and megakaryocytes are also affected.
with a platelet count > than 600,000/µL
Signs and symptoms include ruddy cyanosis,
Patients have signs and symptoms of anemia plus night
hypertension, splenomegaly, headache, sweating,
sweats and weight loss. The peripheral blood smear
weight loss, paresthesias, and dizziness. Generalized
shows marked leukoerythroblastic findings with tear
pruritus occurs in up to 50% of patients and is
drop–shaped erythrocytes and megathrombocytes.
Approximately 50% of patients are asymptomatic
exacerbated by exposure to hot water (typically a hot bath
The bone marrow aspirate is often “dry” (unsuccess-
or shower). Thrombotic disorders (erythromelalgia,
small-vessel thrombosis that causes erythromelal-
ful aspirate), and bone marrow biopsy shows marked
transient ischemic attacks, myocardial infarction or
gia (burning and paresthesias of the extremities
fibrosis. The fibrosis causes decreased bone marrow
stroke, deep venous thrombosis, and Budd-Chiari
that are exacerbated by heat) or central nervous
reserve and extramedullary hematopoiesis with massive
system thrombosis, such as migraine headaches,
syndrome) are the most serious presenting signs of the
hepatosplenomegaly. As the disease progresses,
transient ischemic attacks, scotomas, amaurosis
disease and occur in about two thirds of patients with
patients experience bone marrow failure, portal
fugax (transient monocular or binocular vision
polycythemia vera. Thrombosis is due to the elevated red
hypertension (9% to 18% of patients), and pulmonary
blood cell mass and increased whole blood viscosity and is
aggravated by concomitant thrombocytosis in 50% of
hypertension (due to ectopic myeloid metaplasia,
Large-vessel thrombosis, such as renal vein
patients and leukocytosis in 75% of patients. The risk of
thromboembolic disease, or pulmonary fibrosis that occurs
thrombosis or Budd-Chiari syndrome, may also occur.
thrombosis increases with increasing age, although even
in response to cytokines released by the circulating
young patients can present with life-threatening thrombotic
The diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia is one of
events. Patients who require surgery are at high risk for
both thrombosis and hemorrhage in the postoperative
Although there is no curative treatment for
myelofibrosis, HSCT has been effective in a small
Therapy for essential thrombocythemia depends on
number of patients and should be considered for patients
Determination of the red blood cell mass is not
younger than 60 years of age. HSCT has significant risks,
thrombocytosis, and the medical history. The
needed for patients with a hematocrit level greater
however. The 1-year transplant-related mortality rate is as
platelet count must be lowered quickly in patients
than 60% in men and 56% in women. However,
high as 25%, with a 5-year survival rate of 48%.
with life-threatening symptoms, such as a transient
patients who have a slightly elevated hematocrit
ischemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, or
level and all patients with the Budd-Chiari syndrome
cytoreduction with hydroxyurea to control the elevated
gastrointestinal bleeding. Platelet apheresis along
should be evaluated for polycythemia vera with a
leukocyte and platelet counts or interferon alfa to control
with cytoreductive therapy is indicated for these
nuclear medicine measurement of the red blood cell
the thrombocytosis, splenomegaly, and bone marrow
mass and plasma volume measurement to monitor
fibrosis. Many patients require repeated transfusions,
myelosuppressive agent of choice in this setting
for a depressed serum erythropoietin level. JAK2
which may lead to chronic iron overload and the need for
because of its rapid onset of action. For patients
V617F mutation testing should also be done
with less urgent symptoms, myelosuppression is
because polycythemia vera is diagnosed in up to
iron chelation therapy. Androgen therapy controls
instituted with lower doses of hydroxyurea,
40% of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome.
hypoproliferative anemia in up to 50% of patients.
anagrelide, or interferon alfa plus low-dose
Thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism or decreased
Treatment of polycythemia vera is directed toward
aspirin. Since smoking can increase the risk of
platelet production is managed with platelet
reducing the red blood cell mass and preventing
thrombosis, patients should be encouraged to stop.
thrombosis. Therapeutic phlebotomy should be instituted
transfusions. It is important to avoid alloimmunization
Erythromelalgia responds rapidly to low-dose
with the goal of lowering the hematocrit level to less than
caused by repeated transfusions by using a restrictive
aspirin, and a single dose can relieve symptoms for
42% in women and less than 45% in men. Low-dose
transfusion approach and by transfusing only
several days. Asymptomatic patients can be
aspirin is indicated unless the patient has symptoms of
leukodepleted blood products. Hyperuricemia is treated
easy bruising and an acquired platelet disorder.
with allopurinol. Massive hypersplenism may be
Hyperuricemia is treated with allopurinol, and patients
managed with low-dose radiation therapy, but the
The prognosis is good for patients with essential
with pruritus are given antihistamines. Interferon alfa,
response is transient and can be complicated by the loss
thrombocythemia. A large Spanish study published in
anagrelide, and/or hydroxyurea is the treatment of
of extramedullary hematopoiesis with resulting cytopenia.
1991 showed no significant difference in longevity
choice for older symptomatic patients with polycythemia
between patients with this disorder and controls.
vera that cannot be control ed with phlebotomy and
Transformation to other myeloproliferative disorders
Survival after diagnosis of myelofibrosis ranges from 1
does occur, however, and 8% of patients will
year to over 30 years, but the median survival is only 5
Prognosis depends on the severity of the
develop myelofibrosis over a 10-year period. A
complications of the disease. Median survival after
years. Prognostic indicators have not been reproducible
smaller number of patients will develop polycythemia
diagnosis ranges from less than 2 years to more than
among different studies, but significant anemia at
15 years. Death is usually due to thrombosis, but
presentation is a reliably poor prognostic finding
patients may develop serious bleeding abnormalities,
myelofibrosis, or acute myeloid leukemia.
Myeloproliferative Disorders.mmap - 11.05.12 - Mindjet
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