Polycythemia Vera Is Not Cancer. Polycythemia vera is a chronic disease of the blood. It can affect people of any age and race, and it has been diagnosed in up to 50 percent of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).
Polycythemia vera is not cancer. It is a chronic disease of the blood. While the name may sound scary, it is a very rare disorder. However, when a person has polycythemia vera, their body’s production of red blood cells goes out of control, which leads to higher than-normal levels of red blood cells in the blood.
If you have been diagnosed with polycythemia vera, you may question what this disease means and what you can expect.
As a cancer survivor, I have been through the whole gamut of treatment options, including chemo, radiation, stem cell transplant, and so much more. I was lucky enough to survive, but the long-term effects have been devastating.
Polycythemia Vera is not cancer. This is the first thing you need to know if you are considering any of the treatment options for polycythemia vera.
Polycythemia Vera is a blood disorder caused by the increased production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a disease where there are too many red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen through the body and are made in the bone marrow. In PV, there are too many red blood cells. As the number of red blood cells grows, they can block small blood vessels and cause small bleeding episodes.
There are four major types of PV. I have the most severe type, myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia, called myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia/primary myelofibrosis. This means there are abnormal growths called fibrotic masses in the bone marrow.
This can cause the blood cells to become too numerous, leading to bleeding and infection. PV can also cause symptoms such as tiredness and shortness of breath.
Polycythemia Vera is a blood disorder where the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. If you don’t take or stop taking medications, your blood cell count can become dangerously high. This could lead to complications such as:
Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
Increased risk of bleeding
Fever, chills, and tiredness
Swelling in the hands and feet
Dizziness or headaches
Difficulty breathing
Severe dizziness, weakness, or pain in the back, neck, or chest
The cause of Polycythemia Vera is not known. It is thought to be inherited. It is most common in middle-aged men.
What Is This Disorder?
Polycythemia Vera is a rare disease where the blood becomes too thick. This causes headaches, extreme fatigue, and even heart attacks. I review the latest research on the disease and its treatment options in this article.
People often thought they had cancer in the past, but it turns out that polycythemia Vera is not cancer. This rare condition has been linked to several different cancers.
Have you ever heard of polycythemia vera? It’s a condition in which your blood has too many red blood cells. It’s a relatively rare condition, with only 100 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States. It’s usually not considered a life-threatening disease.
A recent American Society of Hematology study found that people with polycythemia vera have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke than those without.
While polycythemia vera is a chronic condition, it can be deadly if left untreated. It’s important to seek medical advice if you think you have it.
What Causes It?
The first thing to know is that Polycythemia Vera is NOT cancer. It is a rare disorder that affects the bone marrow.
The good news is that you don’t need to take chemotherapy, radiation, or immunosuppressive drugs. You can treat it with natural remedies.
If you have Polycythemia Vera, you’re probably already familiar with the symptoms. These include:
• A higher than-normal red blood cell count (RBC)
• An increased number of white blood cells (WBC)
• Bone pain
• Increased thirst
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue
• Easy bruising
• Night sweats
• Fainting
These symptoms can cause a significant amount of discomfort. But you can treat it naturally with herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
Here’s what you can do.
First, you can try taking vitamin C and B12 supplements. Vitamin C can reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen formation.
Vitamin B12 is necessary for DNA synthesis and nerve function.
Symptoms
Here is a summary of the most common diseases that cause erythema.
Polycythemia is a disease where the red blood cells are increased. The increase can be severe and can lead to complications. In some cases, people are advised to get treatment for the condition.
The most common causes of polycythemia are:
– Polycythemia vera
– Myeloproliferative disorders
– Essential thrombocythemia
– Primary myelofibrosis
– Chronic myelogenous leukemia
The symptoms of polycythemia are usually:
– Swelling of the hands and feet
– Headaches
– Fatigue
– Weakness
The treatments of polycythemia are different for each case. In some cases, it may not be necessary to treat the condition.
It’s important to know the difference between polycythemia and other similar conditions. Some of them are:
– Myelodysplastic syndrome
– Myeloproliferative neoplasm
– Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Difference Between Polycythemia Vera & Cancer
I had polycythemia vera for over 12 years. It was a horrible disease to have. I spent so much time in and out of hospitals and doctors’ offices.
However, in the last few years, I’ve been able to manage it well without the use of any medication. I believe it is a miracle that I’ve been able to do so.
In my experience, there is no cure for this condition. It’s just a matter of living with it. However, I’ve found that I can live a normal life without using any medications.
For those who don’t know, Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a condition where the blood’s red blood cell (RBC) count goes higher than normal.
It’s also known as polycythemia vera, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), and erythrocytosis (EA).
Polycythemia vera affects only adults. Children are not affected by this condition. However, Polycythemia Vera may be linked to cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are there any misconceptions about polycythemia vera (PV)?
A: I think there are more misconceptions about PV than actual knowledge. People assume it’s blood cancer. They believe it must be cancer if it has blood in it. That’s just not true. I think PV is the most misunderstood hematologic condition.
Q: What are the misconceptions about PV?
A: The biggest misconception is that it’s just blood cancer. It’s not that simple. If I had to pick the top one, it would be that the disease is incurable. It’s treatable, and patients live with the disease every day.
Q: Do you think there are too few doctors specializing in PV?
A: There aren’t enough doctors who understand the disease. In my experience, I think it’s a lot better now than it was before.
Q: Why are there different names for the same disease?
A: There are two different diseases with the same name, Polycythemia Vera. Polycythemia Vera (PV) is the common form of the disease, which occurs without other causes, such as bone marrow failure. PV is also referred to as primary polycythemia because the cause is unknown. Myeloproliferative neoplasms include polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis, chronic myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and mastocytosis.
Q: Can it be cured?
A: PV can be treated but cannot be cured. Treatment includes pain management, treatment of infections, anti-coagulation, and other supportive therapies. The disease can involve the lungs, the liver, the heart, or the kidneys.
Myths About Cancer
1. Polycythemia Vera is not cancer.
2. Polycythemia Vera is treated with chemotherapy.
3. Polycythemia Vera only affects older men.
Conclusion
Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a rare, chronic blood disorder that causes an abnormal increase in red blood cells, or erythrocytes. This can lead to dizziness, fainting, fatigue, heart palpitations, headaches, chest pains, and shortness of breath. It can also cause nosebleeds and may make it difficult for you to breathe.
The most common symptom of polycythemia vera is an elevated white blood cell count. This leads to leukocytosis, in which too many white blood cells are in the bloodstream.
