Secondary Erythrocytosis, is it cancer?
Posted , 9 users are following.
I’ve been diagonosed with secondary erythrocytosis , haven’t been told much by my doctor yet as waiting on appointment but as soon as i type it in the internet it comes up with cancer. It says it’s related to polycythemia vera.
Does anyone know if this is a cancer? It’s where I have a high number of red blood cells or something.
Does anyone know if this is cancer and the treatment/cures for it?
No sugar coating please, want to know the truth.
Thanks.
0 likes, 25 replies
peter98873 jasmine15475
Posted
Hi Jasmine,
It is not so very along ago that Polycythaemia (PV) was not regarded as a cancer but in the light of more recent research is today deemed a cancer. PV is normally caused by you having a defective gene from birth and this can lay dormant until much later in life when it represents itself as the disease. PV affects the red blood cells by the effect of the gene on the bone marrow where the red cells are formed. It is the over-production of these cells that provokes the illness and where the body reacts to combat this feature. There is no regular cure for PV or PRV (Polycythaemia Rubra Vera) but there are effective treatments available that will control the disorder. These are provided by the Haematologist following some basic blood tests. PV is one of the diseases included in the group of diseases that exist under the MPN label (Myelo Proliferative Neoplasms). These are very rare and serious disorders requiring professional supervision. They are also very complex. The only known cure is by stem cell replacement therapy which is a very severe undertaking generally over a period of 2 years, with close medical monitoring. The treatment is not generally recommended unless the patient is young, fit and fulfils a number of specific conditions. It is not for the faint-hearted. PV is a progressive disorder and may advance to ET (Essential Thrombocythaemia and Myelofibrosis (MF) in the MPN Group. It can eventually lead to Leukaemia but this is rare indeed. With the correct treatment for you as an individual patient these disorders can be controlled for many years. A sensible diet and standard of living will help considerably. Remember, what suits one patient with PV may not necessarily be correct for another. It is a very variable disease and complex too. Your Haematologist is a sound source of assistance. Just take things calmly, follow the professional advice you receive and don't be afraid to ask questions as you go along. There is much to learn. I have lived with this disease for over 20 years.
Best of luck. ( Erythrocytosis refers to red blood cells).
Peter.
jasmine15475 peter98873
Posted
Thank you for your time and I’m glad you are coping well with a lifetime of suffering from PV, really gives me hope
peter98873 jasmine15475
Posted
Secondary Polycythaemia is where there is an increase in the total number of red blood cells that are introduced by an increase in the red cell mass but with no identifiable cause. Smoking is indeed one of the causes. This increases red cell growth thereby causing the bone marrow to compensate by producing more of these. This is often referred to as hypoxic polycythaemia which is connected to lung disease.and other separate similar causes. It is all to do with the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. It can be cancerous. Often by eliminating the basic problem eg. smoking, etc. the Polycythaemia can be reduced or even cleared but this does not exclude the other difficulties these habits may cause, such as lung or heart disease. If the secondary polycythaemia is corrected it allows the blood to return to normal. However, if the correction is not complete, latent polycythaemia vera can result thereby requiring extra testing. So secondary polycythaemia can result in a progression to PRV (polycythaemia rubra vera). Stop smoking and any other poor habits is the answer. Good luck.
Peter.
jasmine15475 peter98873
Posted
Stopped smoking many moons ago unfortunately, you think your invincible when you’re young right ! soon catches up.
Have an appointment with my haematologist next week so hopefully will have all my questions answered then.
Regards , Jasmine
peter98873 jasmine15475
Posted
Yes we were all once young and thereby fireproof. Good luck with your Haematologist, these are the specialists with the answers. Little was known about PV until very recent times . Prior to this it was hardly known anywhere, even by the medics. Local doctors would usually raise an eyebrow when faced with a patient with PV. Haematologists receive all patients referred by the doctors and so gain much experience. Current advances have revealed much about this disorder.
Peter.