Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders

Chronic myeloproliferative disorders are a group of slow-growing cancers in which too many blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets) are produced by the bone marrow. The extra blood cells inhibit the rest of the blood cells from functioning properly. Chronic myeloproliferative disorder can sometimes become acute leukemia when too many abnormal white blood cells are produced.

Types of chronic myeloproliferative disorders:

Chronic myelogenous leukemia
Polycythemia vera
Primary myelofibrosis
Essential thrombocythemia
Chronic neutrophilic leukemia
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia

Causes of chronic myeloproliferative disorders

The causes of chronic myeloproliferative disorders are unknown, and there are no known risk factors. It typically occurs in people over the age of 50.

Diagnosis of chronic myeloproliferative disorders

Complete blood count (CBC) test and other blood tests
Peripheral blood smear to check for any abnormalities in the shape or maturity of blood cells
Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy to examine the bone marrow for abnormalities
Cytogenetic analysis to look for changes in the chromosomes of blood or bone marrow cells

Treatment of chronic myeloproliferative disorders at KHCC

There are different types of treatment for myeloproliferative disorders depending on the disease itself and the condition and general health of the patient. Treatment can include chemotherapy, blood transfusions, surgery (to remove an enlarged spleen), stem cell transplants, phlebotomy and biologic therapy.