Alternative Names
Primary polycythemia; Polycythemia rubra vera; Myeloproliferative disorder; Erythremia; Splenomegalic polycythemia; Vaquez's disease; Osler's disease; Polycythemia with chronic cyanosis - Myelopathic polycythemia; Erythrocytosis megalosplenica; Cryptogenic polycythemia
Definition of Polycythemia vera:
Polycythemia vera is an abnormal increase in blood cells (primarily red blood cells) due to excess production of the cells by the bone marrow.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Polycythemia vera is an acquired disorder of the bone marrow that causes the overproduction of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
It is a rare disease that occurs more frequently in men than women, and rarely in patients under age 40. The exact cause is unknown.
