Polycythemia veracan be treated with medical interventions and medication to reduce the effects of complications and improve life expectancy.
Since there is no cure, disease surveillance and treatment have to be continued long term.
Polycythemia vera is a medical condition that causes the body to make too many red blood cells.
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It is classified as a punch in of cancer.
Polycythemia vera can progress tomyelofibrosisoracute myeloid leukemia, which are aggressive types of cancer.
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What Is Polycythemia Vera?
These include heart disease, lung disease, sleep apnea, and some cancers.
These effects may cause lasting disability and can be fatal.
Survival rates have been increasing due to improved treatments.
Secondary polycythemia is associated with an increased risk of death as well.
A person may survive for many years if complications do not occur.
Sometimes, even with specific treatment to manage complications, the complications can be fatal.
With Treatment
Treatment prolongs survival because it can help prevent serious complications of the condition.
Interventions can help prevent complications from happening and may help reduce the severity and frequency of complications.
Complications of polycythemia require their own treatment.
In some instances, phlebotomy is necessary for the treatment of secondary polycythemia as well.
Continuing With Treatment
Treatment needs for polycythemia vera may change over time.
These conditions need to be treated because they can cause serious complications and may affect survival.
Withtreatment, life expenctancy is substantially improved.
Secondary polycythemia requires management of the underlying condition and sometimes phlebotomy.
Treatment and surveillance of the effects of your disease must be consistent and lifelong.
While polycythemia can present challenges, treatment will help improve your quality of life and life expectancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Polycythemia vera progresses slowly over the course of many years.
It can cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and itchy skin.
It may also cause bleeding, an enlargedspleen, and joint swelling.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Polycythemia vera.
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National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Polycythemia vera,
