polycythemia

polycythemia

 [pol″e-si-the´me-ah]

an increase in the total red blood cell mass of the blood; called also erythrocythemia, hypercythemia, and hypererythrocythemia.

There are two distinct forms of the disease: Primary polycythemia (polycythemia vera) is a myeloproliferative disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by hyperplasia of the cell-forming tissues of the bone marrow, with resultant elevation of the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin level, and an increase in the number of leukocytes and platelets.

Secondary polycythemia is a physiologic condition resulting from a deficient oxygen supply to the tissues. The body attempts to compensate for the deficiency by manufacturing more hemoglobin and erythrocytes. Living at high altitudes can produce polycythemia, as can severe chronic lung and heart disorders, especially congenital heart defects.

Absolute polycythemia refers to an increase in red cell mass from any cause. Relative polycythemia refers to a loss of plasma volume causing an elevated hematocrit.

Symptoms. The symptoms of primary and secondary polycythemia are much the same. The increased erythrocyte production results in thickening of the blood and an increased tendency toward clotting. The viscosity of the blood limits its ability to flow properly, so that the supply to the brain and other vital tissues is diminished. This may cause sluggishness, irritability, headache, dizziness, fainting, disturbances of sensation in the hands and feet, and a feeling of fullness in the head. There may be episodes of acute pain as spontaneous clots occur in the blood vessels. The spleen becomes enlarged and the smaller veins become more prominent, so that the skin has a bluish hue. The secondary form is often accompanied by enlargement of the tips of the fingers (clubbing).

Treatment. Treatment of polycythemia vera is aimed at reducing the red cell count and decreasing the blood volume. Mild cases can be managed by periodic phlebotomy. More serious cases may require myelosuppressive therapy; interferon and large-dose aspirin therapy may also be used. Research on treatment modalities is ongoing. In secondary polycythemia, successful treatment of the causative illness will relieve the polycythemia.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

hy·per·cy·the·mi·a

(hī'pĕr-sī-thē'mē-ă),

The presence of an abnormally high number of red blood cells in the circulating blood.
See also: polycythemia.

Synonym(s): hypererythrocythemia, polycythemia

[hyper- + G. kytos, cell, + haima, blood]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

polycythemia

(pŏl′ē-sī-thē′mē-ə)

n.

A condition characterized by an abnormally high number of red blood cells in the blood.

---

polycythemia

(pŏl′ē-sī-thē′mē-ə)

n.

A condition marked by an abnormally large number of red blood cells in the circulatory system.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

polycythemia

Any ↑ RBC mass. See Relative polycythemia, Secondary polycythemia.

Polycythemia types

Relative RBC mass is above normal but not pathologic. See Relative polycythemia.

Secondary to various physiopathologic mechanisms, usually hypoxia or ↑ erythropoietin secretion

Neoplastic, ie polycythemia vera, see there  . ;.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

pol·y·cy·the·mi·a

(pol'ē-sī-thē'mē-ă)

An abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells.
Synonym(s): erythrocythemia, polycythaemia.

[poly- + G. kytos, cell, + haima, blood]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

polycythemia

(pol?e-si-the'me-a) [ poly- + cyto- + -emia]

An excess of red blood cells. In a newborn, it may reflect hemoconcentration due to hypovolemia or prolonged intrauterine hypoxia, or hypervolemia due to intrauterine twin-to-twin transfusion or placental transfusion resulting in delayed clamping of the umbilical cord. Synonym: erythrocytosis

Chuvash polycythemia

An autosomal recessive erythrocytosis in which patients respond to normal oxygen levels as if they were in an hypoxic environment and make more red blood cells than are needed. ASludging of blood, pulmonary hypertension, and vascular infarcts are common sequelae.

relative polycythemia

A relative (rather than an absolute) increase in the number of erythrocytes due to a reduction of plasma volume, e.g., in patients with burns or dehydration.

secondary polycythemia

Polycythemia due to a physiological condition that stimulates erythropoiesis, e.g., lowered oxygen tension in blood.

spurious polycythemia

Gaisböck syndrome.

POLYCYTHEMIA VERA: peripheral blood smear in polycythemia vera (X 400)

POLYCYTHEMIA VERA

polycythemia vera

A chronic, life-shortening myeloproliferative disorder due to the reproduction of a single stem-cell clone. It is characterized by proliferation or hyperplasia of all bone marrow cells, with an increase in red blood cell mass and hemoglobin concentration that occurs independently of erythropoietin stimulation. Synonym: erythremiaillustration;

Symptoms

Usually occurring between ages 40 and 60 and most common in males with Jewish ancestry, polycythemia seldom affects children or those of African ancestry. Weakness, fatigue, headache, blood clotting, vertigo, tinnitus, irritability, dyspnea, visual disturbances, flushing of face, redness, or ruddy cyanosis, pruritus, ecchymosis, hypertension, epigastric distress, weight loss, and pain in joints or extremities occur commonly. The bone marrow shows uncontrolled, rapid cellular reproduction and maturation (increased cellularity). Peptic ulcers are often reported.

Treatment

The mainstay of patient care is the reduction in red blood cell mass with recurrent phlebotomy to lower the hematocrit to 45% or less. Vitals signs are monitored during and after phlebotomy, and the patient is provided with oral fluids and protected from orthostatic hypotension. The symptoms and the need to seek medical attention when signs and symptoms of bleeding and thrombus formation occur are explained to the patient. Rest should be balanced with exercise, but the patient should be advised that activity and ambulation help prevent thrombotic complications. Reassurance and support are provided to the patient and family, and opportunities are provided for questions and discussion of concerns. Patients who have a history of blood clotting or very high platelet counts are treated with myelosuppressive drugs, such as hydroxyurea. During myelosuppressive therapy the patient is informed about adverse effects that may occur, assessed for leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, and protective measures are taught and instituted.

illustration

Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners

Polycythemia

A condition characterized by an overabundance of red blood cells.

Mentioned in: Hypercoagulation Disorders

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

pol·y·cy·the·mi·a

(pol'ē-sī-thē'mē-ă)

An abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells.
Synonym(s): erythrocythemia, polycythaemia.

[poly- + G. kytos, cell, + haima, blood]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012