Polycythemia Vera

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Polycythemia Vera is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Erythremia
Osler-Vaquez Disease
Primary Polycythemia
Splenomegalic Polycythemia
Vaquez-Osler Disease
Polycythemia Rubra Vera

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Polycythemia vera is a rare, chronic disorder involving the overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow (myeloproliferation). The overproduction of red blood cells is most dramatic, but the production of white blood cells and platelets are also elevated in most cases. Since red blood cells are overproduced in the marrow, this leads to abnormally high numbers of circulating red blood cells (red blood mass) within the blood. Consequently, the blood thickens and increases in volume, a condition called hyperviscosity. Thickened blood may not flow through smaller blood vessels properly. A variety of symptoms can occur in individuals with polycythemia vera including nonspecific symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, weakness, dizziness or itchy skin; an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly); a variety of gastrointestinal issues; and the risk of blood clot formation, which may prevent blood flow to vital organs. More than 90 percent of individuals with polycythemia vera have a mutation of the JAK2 gene. The exact role that this mutation plays in the development of polycythemia vera is not yet known.

Polycythemia vera belongs to a group of diseases known as the myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs). This group of disorders is characterized by the overproduction (proliferation) of one or more of the three main blood cell lines - red or white blood cells or platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body. White blood cells fight infection. Platelets are involved in clotting of the blood in response to injury. Three other disorders are commonly classified as MPDs: chronic myeloid leukemia, essential thrombocythemia and idiopathic myelofibrosis. Because the MPDs are characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, they may also be classified as blood cancers.

Resources

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Ave
3rd Floor
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)949-5213
Fax: (914)949-6691
Tel: (800)955-4572
Email: infocenter@LLS.org
Internet: http://www.LLS.org

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
USA
Tel: (404)320-3333
Tel: (800)227-2345
Internet: http://www.cancer.org

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
31 Center Drive MSC 2480
Building 31A Rm 4A16
Bethesda, MD 20892-2480
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (240)629-3246
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

National Cancer Institute
6116 Executive Blvd, MSC 8322, Room 3036A
Bethesda, MD 20892-8322
USA
Tel: (301)435-3848
Tel: (800)422-6237
TDD: (800)332-8615
Internet: http://www.cancer.gov

Myeloproliferative Mailing List (MPD-SUPPORT-L)
3706 North Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, FL 44030
USA
Tel: (305)295-4444
Fax: (305)295-3335
Email: lov2laf@bellsouth.net
Internet: http://www.mpdsupport.org

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

CMPD Education Foundation
PO Box 4758
Scottsdale, AZ 85261
Tel: (480)443-1975
Fax: (480)443-1154
Email: jniblack@mpdinfo.org
Internet: http://www.mpdinfo.org

Myeloproliferative Disease Support and Free Daily Email Digest
2011 Flagler Ave.
Key West, FL 33040
USA
Tel: (305)295-4444
Email: roberttollen@gmail.com or mensabrain@aol.com
Internet: http://www.MPDSUPPORT.ORG

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 9/26/2008
Copyright 1986, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2008 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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