Awareness of myeloproliferative neoplasms

Myeloproliferative neoplasms are blood cancers that happen while the body produces too many white or red blood cells or platelets. This excessive production of blood cells within the bone marrow can lead to issues with blood flow and contribute to various symptoms.

At diagnosis, most myeloproliferative neoplasms are mostly benign but over time they may evolve into a malignant (cancerous) disease. Since some of them progress to cancer it's important to have close follow-up with hematologist.

There are different types of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms.

1. Chronic myelogenous leukemia.
2. Polycythemia Vera (PV).
3. Primary myelofibrosis
4. Essential thrombocythemia.
5. Chronic eosinophilic leukemia
6. Chronic neutrophilic leukemia.

Classic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

The "classic" myeloproliferative neoplasms include:

1. Polycythemia vera (PV): PV results from a genetic mutation in Jak2 that causes the overproduction of red blood cells. Sometimes the white blood cell and platelet counts are also elevated which can increase blood clot risk. There is also risk off developing myelofibrosis or cancer.
2. Essential Thrombocythemia (ET): The genetic changes will result in increased platelet count, which can cause blood clots. When you have elevated platelets consult a hematologist to evaluate the causes of elevated platelet count (thrombocytosis) including the other MPNs.
3. Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF): Primary myelofibrosis has previously been called idiopathic myelofibrosis or agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. The genetic mutation in PMF results in scarring (fibrosis) of the bone marrow. This scarring in the bone marrow makes it challenging for your bone marrow to make new blood cells. In contrast to PV, PMF generally results in anemia (low red blood cell count).
4. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): It’s from a genetic mutation in BCR/ABL1 gene. This mutation results in the overproduction of white blood cells and platelets.

What are the symptoms?

Many individuals having Myeloproliferative neoplasms don’t have any symptoms. After the routine blood test, it might be diagnosed.

If any symptoms exist, they might include:

1. Fatigue or tiredness
2. Frequent headaches
3. Unusual bleeding
4. Issues with your eyes like blurry vision
5. Getting more infections than usual
6. Ringing in your ears

Treatment

Treatment of MPNs relies upon the sort and on the presence of symptoms. Generally, treatment intends to correct unusual blood counts.

Low dose chemotherapy pills, like hydroxyurea, can be given to patients with thrombocythemia (elevated platelets) and polycythemia vera (increased hemoglobin) to bring down their platelet and red cell counts. Phlebotomy (the elimination of blood intravenously) is likewise an effective technique for minimizing the red blood cell counts and controlling symptoms.

Other treatments at Ravis American cancer care for myelofibrosis incorporate treatments with ruxolitinib, thalidomide and alpha interferon as needed. Moreover, patients with myelofibrosis often need red blood cell or platelet transfusions.

Stem cell transplantation: The only restorative treatment in some eligible cases of MPN is allogeneic stem cell transplantation, which is the transfer of stem cells from one person to another.

Make an appointment with Dr. Ravikiran Bobba at Ravi American Cancer care hospital for mpn testing in Vijayawada. The genetic testing can be done by Next generation Sequencing (NGS) or Real time PCR.