Polycythemia overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Debduti Mukhopadhyay, M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
Polycythemia is a condition in which there is a net increase in the total number of red blood cells in the body. The overproduction of red blood cells may be due to a primary process in the bone marrow (a so-called myeloproliferative syndrome), or it may be a reaction to chronically low oxygen levels or, rarely, a malignancy.
Historical Perspective
In 2005, a mutation in the JAK2 kinase (V617F) was found in multiple patients with myeloprolifrative neoplasm (including polycythemia vera) by different researchers.[1]
Classification
Based on the reasons, polycythemia is classified into two types; primary and secondary.
Pathophysiology
Polycythemia is a number of symptoms that are caused by the increase of the total number of red blood cells in the body. This makes blood thicker in our blood vessels which may cause some problems. People with polycythemia will have an increase in their hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
Causes
Polycythemia is caused by the increase of the total number of red blood cells in the body.
Differentiating Polycythemia from Other Diseases
Polycythemia vera must be differentiated from chronic myelogenous leukemia, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis.
Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence of polycythemia is approximately 0.7 to 2.6 per 100,000 individuals in the US.