Overview

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)

Myeloproliferative disorders are a group of rare illnesses that cause blood cells in the bone marrow, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, to grow and develop abnormally.

Myeloproliferative disorders occur when the body produces too many of one or more types of blood cells. However, the reason for this remains unknown. Researchers believe that genetics and/or the environment may play a role in the development of these disorders.

Myeloproliferative disorders are serious medical conditions. Complications of these disorders may be fatal. A person's survival rate depends on the type of myeloproliferative disorder he/she has, as well as the severity of his/her illness.

Although there is no cure for myeloproliferative disorders, treatment may help patients live several years after they are diagnosed.

Types

Types of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)

There are four major types of myeloproliferative disorders:

• Chronic myelogenous leukemia

A chronic form of cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow and invades the blood and other parts of the body over time.

• Essential thrombocythemia (ET)

A type of leukemia in which bone marrow produces too many platelets, increasing the risk of blood clots which can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

• Myelofibrosis

Also called agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM), a form of cancer that arises in the bone marrow.

• Polycythemia vera

A rare blood disorder in which there is an increase in all blood cells, particularly red blood cells.

(The content above extract from stanfordhealthcare.org)