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Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders Cure - Chronic
Myeloproliferative Disorders Medicine Drug
TREATMENT CENTERS - SURVIVAL RATE - DRUGS AND MEDICINE - INFORMATION
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Myeloproliferative disorders are a group of diseases in which the
bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
Normally, the bone marrow makes blood stem cells (immature cells)
that develop into mature blood cells over time. A blood stem cell may
become a myeloid stem cell or a lymphoid stem cell. The lymphoid stem
cell develops into a white blood cell. The myeloid stem cell develops
into one of three types of mature blood cells:
Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues
of the body.
White blood cells that fight infection and disease.
Platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form.
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Blood cell development. A blood stem cell goes through several steps
to become a red blood cell, platelet, or white blood cell.
In myeloproliferative disorders too many blood stem cells develop
into one or more types of blood cells. The disorders usually get
worse slowly as the number of extra blood cells increases.
There are 6 types of chronic myeloproliferative disorders.
The type of myeloproliferative disorder is based on whether too many
red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets are being made.
Sometimes the body will make too many of more than one type of blood
cell, but usually one type of blood cell is affected more than the
others are. Chronic myeloproliferative disorders include the
following 6 types:
Chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Polycythemia vera.
Chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis.
Essential thrombocythemia.
Chronic neutrophilic leukemia.
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia.
These types are described below. Chronic myeloproliferative disorders
sometimes become acute leukemia, in which too many abnormal white
blood cells are made.
Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to detect
(find) and diagnose chronic myeloproliferative disorders.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs
of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or
anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patients
health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
Complete blood count (CBC) with differential: A procedure in which a
sample of blood is drawn and checked for the following:
The number of red blood cells and platelets.
The number and type of white blood cells.
The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red
blood cells.
The portion of the blood sample made up of red blood cells.
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Complete blood count (CBC). Blood is collected by inserting a needle
into a vein and allowing the blood to flow into a tube. The blood
sample is sent to the laboratory and the red blood cells, white blood
cells, and platelets are counted. The CBC is used to test for,
diagnose, and monitor many different conditions.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: The removal of bone marrow, blood,
and a small piece of bone by inserting a hollow needle into the
hipbone or breastbone. A pathologist views the bone marrow, blood,
and bone under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.
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Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. After a small area of skin is
numbed, a Jamshidi needle (a long, hollow needle) is inserted into
the patients hip bone. Samples of blood, bone, and bone marrow
are removed for examination under a microscope.
Cytogenetic analysis: A test in which cells in a sample of blood or
bone marrow are viewed under a microscope to look for certain changes
in the chromosomes. Certain diseases or disorders may be diagnosed or
ruled out based on the chromosomal changes.
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