Overview:
Polycythemia vera is a very rare type of blood cancer. It causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. These excess cells thicken your blood, slowing its flow, which may cause serious problems, such as blood clots. Polycythemia vera is caused by a genetic change (mutation) that develops during your lifetime. It is not an inherited genetic disorder. Symptoms of polycythemia vera can include fatigue, dizziness, headache, vision problems, shortness of breath, inability to concentrate, bleeding gums, night sweats, bruising, gout, high blood pressure, excess menstrual bleeding, and itchy skin.
Treatment:
Treatments will depend on your age, general health, symptoms, and severity of your condition. Treatments may include:
- Phlebotomy
- Certain medicines, including chemotherapy.
To learn more about polycythemia vera, click here.
