ENLmedical.com: Conditions And Concerns: Medical Encyclopedia: Primary thrombocythemia

Primary thrombocythemia

Causes and Risks:
The cause of the disease is unknown, and although the platelets are primarily affected, the red blood cells and white blood cells are also involved. The disease has similarities to polycythemia vera , chronic myelogenous leukemia , and myelofibrosis . Usually it affects people who are over 50 years old. Bleeding can occur from the gastrointestinal, respiratory , urinary tract, or skin. The formation of blood clots called thrombosis may coincide with bleeding episodes and may even cause strokes in some people. Risk factors are unknown. The incidence is 1 out of 100,000 people.

Prevention:
There is no known prevention.

Symptoms:

nosebleeds ( epistaxis )
bleeding from the gums
bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract
easy bruising
prolonged bleeding from surgical procedures or tooth extraction
enlarged lymph nodes (rare)
stools, bloody

Signs and Tests:

bone marrow aspiration
CBC that shows elevated platelet count
serum potassium level, elevated

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Treatment:
Treatment is aimed at controlling bleeding or thrombotic episodes. Specific treatment has not been defined. Some people have benefited from chemotherapy .

Prognosis:
The outcome varies, with reports ranging from prolonged periods without complications in some people, to fatalities from complications related to hemorrhage and thrombosis in others.

Complications:

severe hemorrhage
thrombotic episodes ( stroke , heart attack , or blood clots in extremities)

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if unexplained or prolonged bleeding occurs.

Call your health care provider if chest pain , leg pain , confusion , weakness , numbness , or other new symptoms develop.