Many blood cancers, including rare ones like myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), are diagnosed and treated at the OSUCCC – James. For over 60 years, our experts have researched these cancers to better understand them. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm, we know you may have many questions. At the OSUCCC – James, we’re committed to helping you understand this disease so you can make the best choices for care.
What are myeloproliferative neoplasms
In the middle of our bones, there’s a spongy tissue called bone marrow. Bone marrow is made up of blood vessels and the marrow can be either red or yellow. Stem cells are produced by bone marrow.
Stem cells play an important role in your body; they can replicate and make copies of themselves (self-renew) and develop into different types of tissues. Stem cells can help repair damaged tissues and fight off infections. They also perform different functions depending on their location in your body. Your bone marrow produces myeloid stem cells, which can mature into red blood cells and platelets, or lymphoid stem cells, which can turn into white blood cells over time.
In some people, bone marrow may not work properly and can overproduce these stem cells. When this happens, myeloproliferative neoplasms (formerly called myeloproliferative disorders) may occur. This is the collective term for the rare, chronic blood cancers that happen when the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets.
In people diagnosed with MPN, there are too many mature blood stem cells that — depending on the blood stem cells affected — lead to a variety of symptoms and concerns that become more serious over time.
Types of myeloproliferative neoplasms
There are different types of myeloproliferative neoplasms including:
- Polycythemia vera: This occurs when an excessive amount of red blood cells is found in the bone marrow; this also may cause increases in white blood cells and platelet counts.
- Essential thrombocythemia: Essential thrombocythemia is a form of blood cancer. It causes an overproduction of platelets in the blood.
- Myelofibrosis: Myelofibrosis occurs when scar tissue (fibrosis) builds up in the bone marrow and it can’t properly produce the blood stem cells that become mature blood cells. This is the rarest type of MPN.
Myeloproliferative disorder symptoms
There are different types of myeloproliferative disorder symptoms and symptoms may vary based on your type. However, some people may not have any symptoms at all.
Some of the common symptoms associated with different types of MPN may include:
- Fatigue or feeling tired
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Bleeding
- Night sweats
- Unexplained fever
- Pain or discomfort
If you aren’t feeling well or experience any symptoms that last for more than two weeks, you should follow up with your doctor.
What causes myeloproliferative neoplasms
At this time, the exact cause of myeloproliferative neoplasms is unknown. Researchers continue to investigate the underlying causes of MPN.
However, there are some risk factors that could increase the likelihood of developing the disease. It’s important to note that just because you have a risk factor doesn’t mean you’ll get MPN.
Some of the most common risk factors for MPN include:
- Genetic mutations including JAK2
- Previous environmental exposure to certain chemicals or radiation
If you’re at risk of developing MPN, you should talk to your doctor.
Why choose the OSUCCC – James for MPN treatment?
Rare blood cancers like myeloproliferative neoplasms should be treated by a team of experts who are familiar with these diseases. Experts at the OSUCCC – James have experience in diagnosing and treating them.
Home to central Ohio’s only Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Subspecialty Clinic
A team of dedicated specialists manages and operates one of Ohio’s only clinics dedicated to treating myeloproliferative neoplasms. At this clinic, you’ll meet with a team of specialists who are trained to manage these rare conditions in one convenient location. The team will create a customized treatment plan to address your specific needs. We’re pursuing cutting-edge research for novel therapies and artificial intelligence methods.
Clinical trials for myeloproliferative neoplasms
The OSUCCC – James is a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center that specializes in offering access to clinical trials for MPN. Clinical trials provide access to treatments that may not be available elsewhere in central Ohio.
If you have been diagnosed with a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm, please call 614-293-9441 to make an appointment.