This is a group of conditions that affects the different blood cells causing them to grow abnormally in the bone marrow. This can affect the white blood cells, red blood cells and the platelets which can cause various health risks among the affected cases. The disorders develop because of the overproduction of one or more of the cells. This can occur because of an abnormal chromosome or from overexposure to radiation, electrical wiring or chemicals. Some of the types of myeloproliferative disorders include polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, primary or idiopathic myelofibrosis and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Polycythemia vera refers to the condition which occurs when too many red blood cells form; essential thrombocythemia develops with the abnormal production of platelets and chronic myeloid leukemia is caused by excess white blood cells. Some of the complications of these conditions include stroke or can transform to leukemia or myelofibrosis which is the excessive scar-type tissue in the bone marrow. The prognosis of this condition is based on the type of disorder.
Symptoms
The symptoms develop based on the number of abnormal blood counts produced. Individuals with the thrombocythemia and polythemia vera can have thick blood which can clot causing strokes and heart attacks. Individuals with chronic myelogenous leukemia and myelofibrosis can present fatigue, pain or fullness in the abdomen because of an enlarged spleen. The affected individuals can also present moderate or severe form of anemia which develops when there is not sufficient quantity of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Additional symptoms can include loss of appetite, prolonged bleeding from small injuries, pale skin, shortness of breath with physical activity and weakness. They are also at increased risk of developing infections of the skin, sinus and the urinary tract.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the blood tests which counts the number of various cells in the blood. When the result becomes abnormal, various other blood tests may be needed. A bone marrow biopsy can help confirm the diagnosis of the condition by determining the presence of abnormal quantity or the type of blood cell which can also detect certain forms of anemia. The cytogenetic analysis involves an examination of the blood or bone marrow under the microscope to detect the abnormal chromosomal changes.
Treatment
There is no cure for this condition but the treatment can help improve some of the symptoms and prevent the development of its associated complications. In the case of polycythemia vera, the treatment includes a process called phlebotomy where the red blood cell is removed to lower the count. The essential thrombocytosis is focused on treating the symptoms when they occur. The primary myelofibrosis also treats the symptoms with medications and blood transfusions. A chronic myelogenous leukemia may require chemotherapy, biologic therapy, donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and targeted therapy.
References
http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/myeloproliferative-disorders
https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/9319/chronic-myeloproliferative-disorders
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/myeloproliferative_disorders/
