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Primary myelofibrosis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Myelofibrosis; Idiopathic myelofibrosis; Myeloid metaplasia; Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia

Symptoms:

• Abdominal fullness related to an enlarged spleen
• Bone pain
• Bruising
• Easy bleeding
• Fatigue
• Increased susceptibility to infection
• Pallor
• Shortness of breath while doing physical work

Signs and tests:

Physical examination shows an enlarged spleen. Later in the disease, it may also show an enlarged liver .

• An examination of the blood shows teardrop-shaped red blood cells.
• Bone marrow biopsy may be performed to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
• CBC (complete blood count) shows a low red blood cell count .
• The platelet count is variable.
• The white blood cell count is variable.

References:

Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SJ, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 4th ed. Philladelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2005.

McPherson RA and Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:561-62.

• Review Date: 2/26/2007
• Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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