Polycythemia Vera Questions & Answers

Updated: Aug 31, 2022
  • Author: Srikanth Nagalla, MD, MS, FACP; Chief Editor: Sara J Grethlein, MD, MBA, FACP  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is polycythemia vera (PV)?

What are the signs and symptoms of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What are WHO diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera (PV)?

What are treatment options for polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the pathophysiology of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What are risk factors for thrombosis in polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the prevalence of acquired von Willebrand syndrome in polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the prevalence of polycythemia vera (PV) in the US?

Which patient groups have the highest incidence of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Presentation

What are the signs and symptoms of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What causes polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of genetics in the etiology of polycythemia vera (PV)?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of polycythemia vera (PV) in patients with PH-negative MPD?

What are the differential diagnoses for Polycythemia Vera?

Workup

What are the Polycythemia Vera Study Group (PVSG) diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera (PV)?

What are the WHO diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of genetic testing in the workup of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of blood count studies in the diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of platelet function and coagulation testing in the workup of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of vitamin B-12 and uric acid measurement in the workup of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Which lab findings confirm the diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of oxygen saturation tests in the workup of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of bone marrow studies in the workup of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Treatment

What are the goals of treatment for polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is included in the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What are the treatment options to reduce the risk of arterial and venous thrombotic events in polycythemia vera (PV)?

Which study reported resistance or intolerance to hydroxyurea in 137 of 890 (15.4%) patients with polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of phlebotomy in the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What are the options for maintenance therapy for polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the efficacy of maintenance therapies for polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Which specialists should be consulted in the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Medications

Which medications are used in the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV)?

Which medications in the drug class FGFR Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Polycythemia Vera?

Which medications in the drug class JAK Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Polycythemia Vera?

Which medications in the drug class Antimetabolites are used in the treatment of Polycythemia Vera?

Which medications in the drug class Imidazole Quinazolines are used in the treatment of Polycythemia Vera?

Which medications in the drug class Interferons are used in the treatment of Polycythemia Vera?

Follow-up

What is the prognosis of polycythemia vera (PV)?

What is the morbidity and mortality of polycythemia vera (PV)?