Patient education: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (The Basics)

What are myeloproliferative neoplasms? — 

Myeloproliferative neoplasms, or "MPNs," are a group of diseases that affect blood cells.

Blood cells are made in the center of bones, in a part called the bone marrow. The 3 main types of blood cells are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. When a person has an MPN, the bone marrow makes too many of 1 or more of these blood cells.

There are several different MPNs, including:

●Polycythemia vera – The bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. People with PV might also have high levels of white blood cells and platelets.

●Essential thrombocythemia – The bone marrow makes too many platelets.

●Chronic myeloid leukemia – The bone marrow makes too many granulocytes. These are a type of white blood cell.

●Primary myelofibrosis – The bone marrow makes abnormal cells, which cause scar tissue to form in the bone marrow.

Some MPNs are caused by a change in 1 or more genes. Some of these can run in families.

What are the symptoms of MPNs? — 

MPNs can cause symptoms such as:

●Feeling very tired

●Itchy skin

●Night sweats

●Bone pain

●Fever

●Weight loss

MPNs can also cause abnormal bleeding and bruising or blood clots.

Depending on which type of MPN you have, you might have other symptoms, too.

Will I need tests? — 

Yes. If your doctor thinks you might have an MPN, they will do an exam and order different blood tests. Sometimes, people learn they have an MPN after a routine blood test shows abnormal results.

You might also need a bone marrow biopsy. For this test, a doctor takes a very small sample of bone marrow. Then, another doctor looks at the cells under a microscope to check for problems.

How are MPNs treated? — 

Treatment depends on which MPN you have, as well as your overall health and situation. Your options might include:

●Chemotherapy

●Other medicines

●Bone marrow transplant

●A procedure to remove blood from your body

Sometimes, doctors do not start treatment right away. Instead, they might do regular tests to monitor your disease.

Your doctor will talk to you about your treatment options. Any time you are offered a treatment, ask:

●What are the benefits of this treatment? Is it likely to help me live longer? Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?

●What are the downsides of this treatment?

●Are there other options besides this treatment?

●What happens if I do not have this treatment?

More on this topic

Patient education: Polycythemia vera (The Basics)
Patient education: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) (The Basics)
Patient education: Complete blood count (CBC) (The Basics)
Patient education: Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (The Basics)
Patient education: Autologous bone marrow transplant (The Basics)
Patient education: Allogeneic bone marrow transplant (The Basics)

Patient education: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (bone marrow transplantation) (Beyond the Basics)