What Is Polycythemia Vera?
What Is Polycythemia Vera?
Polycythemia vera is a blood cancer that begins in the marrow of your bones, the soft center where new blood cells grow. With polycythemia vera, your marrow makes too many red blood cells, which causes your blood to get too thick. That can make you more likely to have blood clots, a stroke, or a heart attack.
Polycythemia vera develops very slowly, usually over many years. Although it can be life-threatening if you don't get any treatment, most people have a good chance to live a long life when they get the right care.
Polycythemia vera often starts when you're 60 or older, although it can happen at any age. It's more common among men than women.
You might have some warning signs like dizziness or feeling tired and weak. But it's likely you'll first learn you have it when a routine blood test shows that you have a high number of blood cells.
The treatment you get depends on your age and your particular case. If you don't have a lot of symptoms, your doctor may just want to check you regularly without any treatment.
It's natural to worry when you get a diagnosis of cancer. Talk to your family and friends who can give you the emotional support you need. You can also ask your doctor about how to connect with other people who have polycythemia vera, who will know just what you're going through.
Slideshow: Living With CML
Polycythemia Vera
What Is Polycythemia Vera?
Polycythemia vera is a blood cancer that begins in the marrow of your bones, the soft center where new blood cells grow. With polycythemia vera, your marrow makes too many red blood cells, which causes your blood to get too thick. That can make you more likely to have blood clots, a stroke, or a heart attack.
Polycythemia vera develops very slowly, usually over many years. Although it can be life-threatening if you don't get any treatment, most people have a good chance to live a long life when they get the right care.
Polycythemia vera often starts when you're 60 or older, although it can happen at any age. It's more common among men than women.
You might have some warning signs like dizziness or feeling tired and weak. But it's likely you'll first learn you have it when a routine blood test shows that you have a high number of blood cells.
The treatment you get depends on your age and your particular case. If you don't have a lot of symptoms, your doctor may just want to check you regularly without any treatment.
It's natural to worry when you get a diagnosis of cancer. Talk to your family and friends who can give you the emotional support you need. You can also ask your doctor about how to connect with other people who have polycythemia vera, who will know just what you're going through.
Slideshow: Living With CML
