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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffEssential thrombocythemia (ET) is an uncommon disorder in which your body produces too many blood platelets (thrombocytes). It's also known as primary thrombocythemia (throm-bo-sigh-THE-me-uh). Essential thrombocythemia is one of a group of diseases of the blood and bone marrow known as myeloproliferative neoplasms.
The most common symptoms of essential thrombocythemia include headache, lightheadedness, vision changes, and tingling, numbness or burning pain in the hands and feet. Essential thrombocythemia most often occurs in people over age 50 and is more common in women.
You may not need treatment for essential thrombocythemia if you're not experiencing symptoms. If you have abnormal blood clotting or bleeding, however, medications can help you avoid potentially serious complications.
- Thrombocythemia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec14/ch178/ch178d.html. Accessed June 12, 2010.
- Tefferi A. Diagnosis and clinical manifestations of essential thrombocythemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 12, 2010.
- What are thrombocythemia and thrombocytosis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/thrm/thrm_all.html. Accessed June 12, 2010.
- Tefferi A. Myeloproliferative disorders: Essential thrombocythemia and primary myeolfibrosis. In: Goldman L, et al, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/206064361-4/1014199238/1492/658.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50182-8--cesec8_7943. Accessed June 12, 2010.
- Essential or primary thrombocythemia. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/attachments/National/br_1178803674.pdf. Accessed June 12, 2010.
- Chronic myeloproliferative disorders treatment (PDQ): Patient version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/myeloproliferative/patient/allpages/print. Accessed June 12, 2010.
- Vannucchi A, et al. Advances in understanding and management of myeoloproliferative neoplasms. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2009;59:171.
- Finazzi G, et al. Essential thrombocythemia. In: Hoffman R, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06715-0..50073-X&uniq=206064361&isbn=978-0-443-06715-0&sid=1014199238. Accessed June 17, 2010.
- Tefferi A. Prognosis and treatment of essential thrombocythemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 12, 2010.
- Myeloproliferative disorders. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/myelopro_disorders-3.html#. Accessed June 17, 2010.
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