Polycythaemia Vera


                                   A

                              Guide to  

                          the Genetics of

                  Polycythaemia Vera (Rubra)

                                   &

                  Essential Thrombocythaemia

                              'PV & ET'



Therapy for PV & ET


The major problem experienced by patients with PV is that of thrombosis,
which may occur in any of the organs of the body.
Therefore, therapy to reduce the risk of thrombosis is advised for most people.

The usual first line of therapy is oral aspirin daily (75mg).

The second line of therapy is usually phlebotomy - with 500 mL. of blood being taken every few weeks or months.

As most patients with PV, respond well to these two therapies, the regime may remain unchanged for many years.

However, in more serious cases, cyto-reducing drugs,such as hydroxyurea, can be used.

And in a few people even more special treatments, such as Interferons or JAK2 inhibitors may be used.
It is possible that these treatments may be be recommended earlier in the disease progress that previously advised;
but so far they are usually only given when symptoms are prominent.

Therapy for ET is usually much more difficult; and the treatment regimes vary much more widely.

For an up-to-date review of therapy see 'Refining the management of polycythemia vera'
a free download from: http://www.hematologyandoncology.net/files/2018/09/ho0918Mesa-1.pdf