About Polycythemia Vera Cancer (PV) - A Non-Fatal Cancer

Recently a cluster of polycythemia vera cancer, more commonly known simply as PV, was discovered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Generally polycythemia vera is a rare cancer that does not traditionally cluster into case groups. However, in this instance, the victims of the condition all live near an industrial site and an investigation is ongoing to determine if there is a connection. More about the Pennsylvania polycythemia vera cancer case can be found here.

What is polycythemia vera?

Polycythemia vera cancer is a rare illness that is associated with an abnormality in bone marrow. Inducing the body to make too many red blood cells, polycythemia vera cancer leads to blood clots and heart attacks. Polycythemia vera cancer is classified as a myeloproliferative disease, which is a group of diseases that are related to myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. More can be found about leukemia at Cancer.org, or just click here. The word "myeloid" is a word used to suggest an origin in the bone marrow or the spinal cord. More information to understand "myeloid" can be found at Medterms.com or just click here.

What are the symptoms of polycythemia vera?

Symptoms of polycythemia vera cancer include: itching (especially after exposure to warm water), gouty arthritis, peptic ulcers, and erythromelalgia, also known as Mitchell's disease (a rare disorder in which blood vessels are blocked and become inflamed, accompanied by a severe burning sensation and redness of the skin in the inflamed area). It is possible for some victims of polycythemia vera to show no obvious symptoms whatsoever.

How do doctors diagnose polycythemia vera cancer?

In the event that no obvious symptoms are available for a doctor to diagnose the cancer, there are other common conditions within the body that are related to the disease. Victims of polycythemia vera cancer will often have much more blood than normal due to the increase in red blood cell production. Some victims of the cancer can have up to twice as much blood in their system as normal, engorged veins, and increased viscosity (meaning that the blood itself is "thicker" than normal).

What kind of cures and treatments are available for polycythemia vera?

Unfortunately, there are currently no known cures for polycythemia vera cancer. However, the various symptoms can be treated to help extend a victim's life for years. For instance, victims can undergo bloodletting to remove the excess blood and thus reduce the chance of clots and heart attacks. Chemotherapy for the condition is avoided if possible to reduce the risk of making the condition worse. Bone marrow transplants are rare because the benefits do not often outweigh the risks of the procedure. The good news is that, if treated properly and watched closely, the condition is non-fatal. A short medical description of the illness can be found at Cancer.gov, or just click here.