What Does Polycythemia Mean in Medical Terms? Insight Review

Introduction

What does polycythemia mean in medical terms? An elevated number of red blood cells in the bloodstream is the hallmark of this hematological disorder.

Plenty of etiological issues may contribute to this increase, which could have major clinical consequences.

This review provides an in-depth discussion of polycythemia's underlying causes, clinical symptoms, diagnostic rules, and available treatments.

Read ahead to acquire valuable insights into this medical issue

What Does Polycythemia Mean in Medical Terms?

Polycythemia, also known as erythrocytosis blood disorder, is defined as a rise in the number of red blood cells.

In particular, polycythemia is characterized by an increase in hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and packed cell volume or hematocrit(HCT).

Consequently, blood thickness, retared circulation, and the likelihood of clot formation

Types of Polycythemia

polycythemia classified into two types:

• Primary polycythemia is called polycythemia vera(PV).
• Secondary polycythemia known as secondary erythrocytosis or erythrocythemia.

What Does Polycythemia Vera Mean in Medical Terms?

Polycythemia Vera is a slow-growing blood cancer categorized as myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPNs).

MPNs are a group of rare blood malignancies that include abnormal cell growth in the bone marrow.

To clarify,"myelo" refers to bone marrow,"proliferative" indicates the rapid proliferation of blood cells, and "Neoplasm" is known as abnormal and uncontrolled growth.

In 2016, WHO classified MPNs as,

• chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
• chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL).
• polycythemia vera (PV).
• primary myelofibrosis (PMF).

Thus, PV is characterized by the overproduction of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets in the bone marrow.

According to studies, blood cell overproduction in Polycythemia Vera could be caused by mutations in the JAK2 (Janus Kinase 2) gene.

What Does Polycythemia Mean in Medical Terms?|Secondary polycythemia

Secondary polycythemia is either acquired or inherited disorder that leads the body to produce an increased amount of red blood cells.

Consequently, this accumulation leads to thicken the blood,obstructing its flow through vessels, and increasing the risk of stroke.

In contrast to PV, which begins in the bone marrow, secondary polycythemia is typically related to certain disorders.

Causes of Secondary Polycythemia

The primary factor behind secondary polycythemia is an increased secretion of Erythropoietin hormone from the kidneys, typically triggered by hypoxia (decrease in oxygen level).

Numerous causes contribute to this issue including:

• Sleep apnea.
• Smoking.
• Lung diseases.
• Obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
• Living at high altitude.
• Heart disease is a congenital heart defect disease called Tetralogy Of Fallot (TOF) Which causes low oxygen levels that lead to cyanosis.?
• Tumors in liver, brain and uterin.?
• Poisoning with carbon monoxide gas.

Physical Symptoms of Polycythemia

There are common signs between the two types of Polycythemia involving:

• Fatigue and weakness.
• Headache.
• Chest pain.
• Breath shortness.
• Vision problems.
• Loss of concentration.
• Numbness in hands and feet.
• Itching after a hot shower.
• Tinnitus in ear.

In addition, there are some signs concerning with PV as follows:

• Bleeding gums and nose.
• Heavy menstrual cycle.
• Coughing up blood.
• Enlarged spleen or liver.
• Gout occurs because an excess number of RBCs produce high levels of uric acid in the blood.
• Bruising.
• High blood pressure.
• Facial redness.
• Stomach ulcers due to more red blood cells lead to more secretion of stomach acid.

How Is Polycythemia Diagnosed?

Health care provider orders some examinations and tests for diagnosis polycythemia as the following:

Physical examination

Your doctor checks your medical history and examine including:

• Gum and nose for bleeding.
• Skin for redness.
• Check heart pulse.
• Examine the belly to ensure if you have an enlarged spleen or liver than normal.
• Doctor asks about smoking and medical family history.

Blood tests

The doctor requires some blood tests like:

1. Complete blood picture(CBC) to measure numbers of RBCs, white blood cells and platelets, in addition, the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit.
2. Blood film to detect normal and abnormal size, shape of RBcs, WBCs along with platelets, also recognise if there are precursor cells from bone marrow in the bloodstream linked to myelofibrosis.
3. D.Dimer test to check for blood clots.
4. Serum ferritin levels that are common low for PV patients.
5. Erythropoietin level(EPO)decreases in case of PV and increases in secondary polycythemia.
6. Arterial blood gasses(ABG) test to measure oxygen levels.
7. Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene test for detecting PV where this mutation is found in 98% of PV patients.
8. Bone marrow biopsy.?

Imaging tests

1. X- rays for chest.
2. Ultrasound scan for your abdomen to check the size of the spleen or liver.

Polycythemia Treatment Guidelines

The main goal of treatment for both types of Polycythemia is to reduce the number of red blood cells to prevent signs and complications.

Although There's no treatment for PV, doctors recommend management strategies to help to control the disease as follows:.

Therapy for patients with PV have low risk of blood clots

• therapeutic phlebotomy is like donating blood by taking blood from your vein to make your blood thinner and more easily to flow.

• Low dose of Aspirin to prevent platelets from sticking together, which reduces the risk formation of blood clots.

Therapy for patients with polycythemia Vera have high risk of blood clots

• Besremi is a form of interferon alpha that works to help the immune system to suppress the overactive bone marrow, thereby reducing production of RBCs.

• Hydroxyurea is a drug cancer work to prevent formation of blood clots by reducing RBCs production.

• Antihistamines as long as you have itching.

It should note that all treatments mentioned above must be under medical supervision.

Summary

What Does Polycythemia Mean in Medical Terms? known as erythrocytosis, is a blood disorder marked by an elevated number of RBCs.

It is classified into two types: primary polycythemia (PV) and secondary polycythemia.

PV is a slow-growing blood cancer categorized as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), in contrast secondary polycythemia typically linked to other disorders and may be acquired or inherited.

Physical symptoms include fatigue, weakness, headache, breath shortness, vision problems, loss of concentration, and tinnitus.

Diagnosis involves physical examinations, and blood tests.

Treatment options, such as therapeutic phlebotomy, low doses of aspirin, besremi, hydroxide, and antihistamines, should be under medical supervision.

FAQs

What are the criteria for polycythemia?

According to WHO criteria hemoglobin level for man more than 16.5 g/,dL wherase female more than 16 g/dL.

Does polycythaemia increase ESR?

No, Polycythemia decreases the levels of ESR due to excess numbers of RBCs that raise the viscosity of blood.

Is polycythemia vera curable?

No, Polycythemia vera doesn't cure cancer, because it's a type of cancer treatment used to reduce complications.

References

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3. Polycythemia Vera symptoms - high red blood cell count. National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2023, November 16).National organization for rare disorders
4. Srikanth Nagalla, M. (2024, October 23). Secondary Polycythemia. Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology. Medscape
5. Siamak N. Nabili, M. (2022, March 9). Polycythemia causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment. MedicineNet.?
6. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Tetralogy of Fallot: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus.?
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8. Healthline Media. (n.d.). Polycythemia Vera (PV) tests: Types and lab values. Healthline.?
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