Polycythemia verais a blood cell disorder that causes the body to make too many blood cells.
It requires lifelong treatment, which can improve quality of life, overall health, and survival.
The disease causes an increase in red blood cells, and sometimes it also causes excesswhite blood cellsandplatelets.
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Mild forms of this condition do not always cause symptoms.
How Common Is Polycythemia Vera?
Some studies suggest that polycythemia vera is more common among Black Americans than White Americans.
Males are more likely to develop polycythemia vera than females.
This can occur due to severalJanus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene mutations.
This gene is involved in regulating the production of blood cells.The mutation is not usually inheritedit can occur spontaneously.
Some health conditions can increase the risk of polycythemia vera.
Additionally, certain lifestyle factors and environmental exposures are associated with an increased risk of polycythemia vera.
These toxins may be inhaled or may come into contact with the skin, such as during work.
Is It Curable?
Survival and outcome of polycythemia vera is improved with treatment of the disease and with management of complications.
However, it is not curable.
What Are the Mortality Rates for Polycythemia Vera?
Additionally, some people may need treatment for blood clots, bleeding, or other complications.
Erythropoietin is a hormone that the body makes.
It stimulates the bone marrow to make new red blood cells.
With polycythemia vera, the body makes too many red blood cells even with low erythropoietin.
This is because of the genetic changes that trigger red blood cell production.
The condition occurs during adulthood.
Treatment can improve the outcome.
Treatments vary based on the blood cell counts, symptoms, and complications.
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National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Polycythemia vera.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Polycythemia vera.
