Definition of myeloproliferative neoplasms: A type of disease in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, platelets, or certain white blood cells. Myeloproliferative neoplasms usually get worse over time as the number of extra cells build up in the blood and/or bone marrow. This may cause bleeding problems, anemia, infection, fatigue, or other signs and symptoms. Certain myeloproliferative neoplasms may become acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Myeloproliferative neoplasms include chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), polycythemia vera, primary myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythemia, chronic neutrophilic leukemia, and chronic eosinophilic leukemia. Also called chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm.
There is no standard staging system for chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Staging is the process used to find out how far the cancer has spread. There is no standard staging system for chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. Treatment is based on the type of myeloproliferative neoplasm the patient has. It is important to know the type in order to plan treatment.
Standard treatment options include:
- Supportive care
- Immunomodulatory agents
- DNA methyltransferase inhibitors
- Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)
The type of myeloproliferative neoplasm is based on whether too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets are being made. Sometimes the body will make too many of more than one type of blood cell, but usually one type of blood cell is affected more than the others are. Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms include the following 6 types:
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia.
- Polycythemia vera.
- Primary myelofibrosis (also called chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis).
- Essential thrombocythemia.
- Chronic neutrophilic leukemia.
- Chronic eosinophilic leukemia.
All information was taken from the NCI (National Cancer Institute)
