Learn About Essential Thrombocythemia

What is the definition of 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.

What are the alternative names for Essential Thrombocythemia?

Primary thrombocythemia; Essential thrombocytosis

What are the causes of Essential Thrombocythemia?

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.

What are the symptoms of Essential Thrombocythemia?

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
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What are the current treatments for Essential Thrombocythemia?

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.

Who are the top Essential Thrombocythemia Local Doctors?
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology

Dothan Hematology And Oncology PC

287 Healthwest Dr., 
Dothan, AL 
 16.1 mi
Accepting New Patients

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.

Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology

Dothan Hematology And Oncology, P. C.

287 Healthwest Dr, 
Dothan, AL 
 16.1 mi
Accepting New Patients

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.

 
 
 
 
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Hematology Oncology | Oncology
Hematology Oncology | Oncology

Houston County Healthcare Authority

1118 Ross Clark Cir, Suite 502, 
Dothan, AL 
 21.7 mi
Accepting New Patients

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.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Essential Thrombocythemia?

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.

What are the possible complications of Essential Thrombocythemia?

Complications may include:

  • Acute leukemia or myelofibrosis
  • Severe bleeding (hemorrhage)
  • Stroke, heart attack, or blood clots
When should I contact a medical professional for Essential Thrombocythemia?

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.
What are the latest Essential Thrombocythemia Clinical Trials?
A First-in-Human Study of the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of JNJ-88549968, a T-cell Redirecting Bispecific Antibody for CALR-mutated Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

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).

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A Phase 1, Open-Label, Safety and Tolerability Study of INCB057643 in Participants With Myelofibrosis and Other Advanced Myeloid Neoplasms

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.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

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.

What are the references for this article ?

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.