Myeloproliferative Diseases

almostadoctor app banner for android and iOS almostadoctor iPhone, iPad and android apps almostadoctor iOS app almostadoctor android app

Myeloproliferative disorders are often considered cancerous blood disorders and have the potential to transform into acute leukaemiaEven if they do not progress to leukaemia, myeloproliferative disorders can still be fatal in their own right, although they often progress slowly – if at all – and many patients may be asymptomatic.

Myeloproliferative disorders result in the production of too many blood cells in the bone marrow. However – unlike leukaemia – where the cells produce are immature and often do not function correctly – in myeloproliferative disorders the cells are mature and function well. However – the overproduction of these cells can lead to problems with production of the remaining types of cells. They can be divided into three main types:

Blood film showing essential thrombocythaemia
Blood film showing essential thrombocythaemia – in these case with a platelet count about 10x that of normal.

Related Articles

Dr Tom Leach

Dr Tom Leach MBChB DCH EMCert(ACEM) FRACGP currently works as a GP and an Emergency Department CMO in Australia. He is also a Clinical Associate Lecturer at the Australian National University, and is studying for a Masters of Sports Medicine at the University of Queensland. After graduating from his medical degree at the University of Manchester in 2011, Tom completed his Foundation Training at Bolton Royal Hospital, before moving to Australia in 2013. He started almostadoctor whilst a third year medical student in 2009. Read full bio

Leave a Reply