Causes

MPN has no clear causes. But certain factors increase your risk of getting the condition.

• Old age: Individuals over 60 have a higher chance of developing myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and primary myelofibrosis
• Gender: Polycythemia vera, primary myelofibrosis and chronic myelogenous leukemia are more common in men
• Women have a higher chance of getting essential thrombocytosis

Symptoms

Individuals with MPN usually experience:

• Fatigue and tiredness
• Shortness of breath during exertion
• Pale skin
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Bone pain
• Night sweats
• Itching
• Infections and fever
• A painful enlarged liver or spleen
• Weight loss without trying
• Blood clots

Diagnosis

MPNs are usually detected during blood tests. There are a number of tests and tools doctors use to confirm a diagnosis:

• Physical exam and history
• Blood tests:
  • A blood smear
  • A complete blood count
• Bone marrow tests like aspiration and biopsy to see how your bone marrow looks.
• Cytogenetic testing, which tries to find abnormalities in your cell’s DNA.

Treatment

Treating MPN will largely depend on the type and severity of the condition. Common treatment methods are:

• Chemotherapy
• Gene therapy
• Stem cell transplant