Myeloproliferative disorders

Myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) are a group of rare conditions in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets.

The World Health Organisation classes MPDs as types of blood cancer.

Although many people with MPD feel quite well and their everyday life is not disrupted too much. This is because MPD can often remain stable or progress quite slowly.

At London Haematology, we are experts at diagnosing, monitoring and treating myeloproliferative disorders. All our care and support are provided in the first-class environments in The London Clinic, which feature state-of-the-art technology and the latest equipment.

An expert multidisciplinary team will also support you from your first consultation, during your treatment and throughout your recovery.

Causes

Myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) are a group of rare conditions that are caused when your bone marrow produces too much of a particular type of blood cell. Doctors do not know why some people are affected in this way.

The six types of MPD are:

•    Chronic myeloid leukaemia – too many immature white blood cells are made.
•    Polycythemia vera – you have an increased number of red blood cells.
•    Essential thrombocythaemia – a high number of platelets are formed.
•    Primary myelofibrosis – scar tissue builds up in the bone marrow and blood cells do not develop properly.
•    Chronic neutrophilic leukaemia – there is a constant increase of white blood cells in the bone marrow, mainly mature neutrophil cells. This is a very rare MPD.
•    Chronic eosinophilic leukaemia – too many eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) are made in the body. This is a rare MPD.

Diagnosis

At London Haematology, your expert consultant will first discuss with you your health history and carry out a physical examination.

You may then have one or more of the following tests:

•    Blood tests to check the number of blood cells and look for abnormal cells
•    Bone marrow tests to look for abnormal cells
•    Ultrasound of your belly (abdomen)

Treatments

Depending on your symptoms and the stage of your cancer, you may not need treatment for your myeloproliferative disorder.
Instead, you may be put on ‘watch and wait’ and carefully monitored by your healthcare team at London Haematology.

If you do require treatment, you may have one or more of the following treatments:

•    Venesection – around a pint of blood is removed from your body to reduce the number of red blood cells in your blood
•    Drugs to control your blood count – these may be chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy drugs
•    Radiotherapy
•    Bone marrow or stem cell transplant
•    Surgery
•    Gene therapy
•    Hormone therapy
•    Blood transfusion therapy
•    Platelet transfusion