What is the pathology of polycythemia?
What is the pathology of polycythemia?
polycythemia, abnormal increase in red blood cells (erythrocytes) and hemoglobin in the circulation, a situation that results in thickened blood, retarded flow, and an increased danger of clot formation within the circulatory system.
What are the characteristics of polycythemia?
More-specific symptoms of polycythemia vera include: Itchiness, especially after a warm bath or shower. Numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in your hands, feet, arms or legs. A feeling of fullness soon after eating and bloating or pain in your left upper abdomen due to an enlarged spleen.
What cell lines are increased in polycythemia vera?
Polycythemia is characterized by increased cell counts in all cell lines in the myeloid series (ie, red blood cells, white blood cells [preferentially granulocytes], and platelets).
Who P Vera criteria?
Table 1
| Polycythemia vera (PV) a | Essential thrombocythemia (ET) b | |
|---|---|---|
| Major criteria | ||
| 1 | Hemoglobin > 16.5 g/dL(men) Hemoglobin > 16.0 g/dL (women) or Hematocrit > 49% (men) Hematocrit > 48% (women) or increased red cell mass (RCM)c | Platelet count ≥ 450 × 109/L |
What are the 2 major criteria for a diagnosis of polycythemia vera?
Diagnosis requires the presence of either all three major criteria or the first two major criteria and the minor criterion. Major WHO criteria are as follows: Hemoglobin >16.5 g/dL in men and >16 g/dL in women, or hematocrit >49% in men and >48% in women, or red cell mass >25% above mean normal predicted value.
Is MCV elevated in polycythemia vera?
This case describes a patient who exhibited long-standing macrocytosis (elevated MCV) that contributed to elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels thus mimicking a diagnosis of polycythemia vera.
What are the three types of polycythemia?
What causes polycythaemia?
- Apparent polycythaemia. “Apparent polycythaemia” is where your red cell count is normal, but you have a reduced amount of a fluid called plasma in your blood, making it thicker.
- Relative polycythaemia.
- Absolute polycythaemia.
- Polycythaemia vera (PV)
- Secondary polycythaemia.
What is the difference between primary and secondary polycythemia?
Primary polycythemia is genetic. It’s most commonly caused by a mutation in the bone marrow cells, which produce your red blood cells. Secondary polycythemia can also have a genetic cause. But it’s not from a mutation in your bone marrow cells.
What labs are elevated with polycythemia?
If you have polycythemia vera, blood tests might reveal:
- More red blood cells than normal and, sometimes, an increase in platelets or white blood cells.
- A greater percentage of red blood cells that make up total blood volume (hematocrit measurement)
Why is MCV MCH low in polycythemia?
On his laboratory findings, he has very low MCV, which is red blood cell volume, which is typical in patients with polycythemia vera [PV] because they present with iron deficiency, which is subsequent to uncontrolled red blood cell growth. This is one of the signs of PV.
