Essential Thrombocythemia Overview
Learn About Essential Thrombocythemia
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a condition in which the bone marrow produces too many platelets. Platelets are particles in the blood that aid in blood clotting.
Primary thrombocythemia; Essential thrombocytosis
ET results from an overproduction of platelets. As these platelets do not work normally, blood clots and bleeding are common problems. Untreated, ET worsens over time.
ET is part of a group of conditions known as myeloproliferative disorders. Others include:
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (an overproduction of white blood cells that starts in the bone marrow)
- Polycythemia vera (bone marrow disease that leads to an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells)
- Primary myelofibrosis (disorder of the bone marrow in which the marrow is replaced by fibrous scar tissue)
Many people with ET have a mutation of a gene (JAK2, CALR, or MPL).
ET is most common in middle-aged people. It can also sometimes be seen in younger people, especially women under age 40.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Headache (most common)
- Tingling, coldness, or blueness in the hands and feet
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Vision problems
- Mini-strokes (transient ischemic attacks) or stroke
If bleeding is a problem, symptoms may include any of the following:
- Easy bruising and nosebleeds
- Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, urinary tract, or skin
- Bleeding from the gums
- Prolonged bleeding from surgical procedures or tooth removal
If you have life-threatening complications, you may have a treatment called platelet pheresis. It quickly reduces the number of platelets in the blood.
Long-term, medicines are used to decrease the platelet count to avoid complications. The most common medicines used include hydroxyurea, interferon-alpha, or anagrelide.
Aspirin at a low dose (81 to 100 mg per day) may decrease clotting episodes.
Many people do not need any treatment, but they must be followed closely by their provider.
Dothan Hematology And Oncology PC
Jawaunna Blackmon is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Dothan, Alabama. Dr. Blackmon and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Essential Thrombocythemia. Her top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Paget Disease of the Breast, and Large-Cell Immunoblastic Lymphoma. Dr. Blackmon is currently accepting new patients.
Dothan Hematology And Oncology, P. C.
John Dunn is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Dothan, Alabama. Dr. Dunn and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Essential Thrombocythemia. His top areas of expertise are Paget Disease of the Breast, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Richter Syndrome, Familial Colorectal Cancer, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Dunn is currently accepting new patients.
Houston County Healthcare Authority
Sri Valasareddi is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Dothan, Alabama. Dr. Valasareddi and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Essential Thrombocythemia. Her top areas of expertise are Paget Disease of the Breast, Breast Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, and Colorectal Cancer. Dr. Valasareddi is currently accepting new patients.
Outcomes may vary. Most people can go for long periods without complications and have a normal lifespan. In a small number of people, complications from bleeding and blood clots can cause serious problems.
In rare cases, the disease can change into acute leukemia or myelofibrosis.
Complications may include:
- Acute leukemia or myelofibrosis
- Severe bleeding (hemorrhage)
- Stroke, heart attack, or blood clots
Contact your provider if:
- You have unexplained bleeding that continues longer than it should.
- You notice chest pain, leg pain, confusion, weakness, numbness, or other new symptoms.
Summary: The purpose of this study is to characterize safety and to determine the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D\[s\]) and optimal dosing schedule(s) of JNJ-88549968, in part 1 (Dose Escalation); to characterize the safety of JNJ- 88549968 at RP2D(s), in part 2 (Cohort Expansion).
Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of INCB057643 as monotherapy or combination with ruxolitinib for participants with myelofibrosis (MF) and other myeloid neoplasms.
Published Date: February 02, 2023
Published By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Monsey, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Gotlib J. Polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 157.
Marcellino BK, Mascarenhas J, Iancu-Rubin C, Kremyanskaya M, Najfeld V, Hoffman R. Essential thrombocythemia. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 71.