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Primary thrombocythemia
Definition:
Primary thrombocythemia is a condition of overproduction of platelets without a recognizable cause. Alternative Names:
Essential thrombocythemia; Essential thrombocytosis Text Continues Below
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Primary thrombocythemia is a slowly progressing disorder caused by overgrowth of a type of cell that is a precursor of blood cells. Although the platelets are primarily affected, the red blood cells and white blood cells are also involved. The disease has similarities to polycythemia vera, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and myelofibrosis. Usually it affects people in middle age. Bleeding can occur from the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, urinary tract, or skin. The formation of blood clots, called thrombosis, may coincide with bleeding episodes. It may even cause strokes in some people. Risk factors are unknown. The incidence is about 3 out of 100,000 people.
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