Search
Powered By HealthLine
Special Offers
Health Tools
 Heart Healthy Diet
 Ideal Body Weight Calculator
 Diet Reviews
 Fitness and Family
 Quiz: Test Your Fitness IQ
 Exercise and Fitness Guide
 Eat Out Smart
 Healthy Cooking
 BMI Calculator
Featured Conditions
 Diet & Exercise
 Stop Smoking
 Food & Fitness
 High Blood Pressure
 Cholesterol
 Heart
Resources
Healthscout News
3D Health Animations
Health Videos
Quizzes & Tools
Health Encyclopedia
In-Depth Reports
Library & Communities
News Archive
Drug Library
Find a Therapist
Enter City or Zip Code:
Powered by Psychology Today
PR Newswire
 Read latest







Channels
Home |  Today | Women| Men| Kids| Seniors| Diseases| Addictions| Sex & Relationships| Diet, Fitness, Looks| Alternative Medicine| Drug Checker
Medical Health Encyclopedia
 border=



Waldenstroms
Waldenstroms


Polycythemia vera

Alternative Names:
Primary polycythemia; Polycythemia rubra vera; Myeloproliferative disorder; Erythremia; Splenomegalic polycythemia; Vaquez's disease; Osler's disease; Polycythemia with chronic cyanosis - Myelopathic polycythemia; Erythrocytosis megalosplenica; Cryptogenic polycythemia

Treatment:

The objective of treatment is to reduce the high blood viscosity (thickness of the blood) due to the increased red blood cell mass and to prevent hemorrhage and thrombosis.

Text Continues Below



Phlebotomy is one method used to reduce the high blood viscosity. In phlebotomy, 1 unit (pint) of blood is removed weekly until the hematocrit is less than 45, then phlebotomy is continued as necessary.

Occasionally, chemotherapy may be given to suppress the bone marrow. Other agents such as interferon may be given to lower blood counts. Anegrelide may be given to lower platelet counts.

The use of anti-platelet therapy (such as aspirin) is controversial because it may cause stomach bleeding.

Allopurinol is given for hyperuricemia (gout).



Expectations (prognosis):

Polycythemia vera usually develops slowly, and most patients treated appropriately do not experience any problems related to the disease. However, the abnormal bone marrow cells may begin to grow uncontrollably leading to acute myelogenous leukemia. This occurs in a minority of cases.

Patients with polycythemia vera also have an increased tendency to form blood clots that can result in strokes or heart attacks. Some patients may experience abnormal bleeding because their platelets are abnormal.



Complications:


Calling your health care provider:

Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>

 







About The HealthScout Network Contact Us
Copyright © 2001-2009. The HealthCentralNetwork, Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy: Updated as of April 1, 2009  Terms of Service   Site Map
Advertising Policy