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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffThe abnormal blood clotting of essential thrombocythemia can lead to a variety of potentially serious complications, including:
- Pregnancy complications. Uncontrolled thrombocythemia can cause miscarriage, premature delivery, high blood pressure (preeclampsia), early separation of the placenta from the uterine wall (placental abruption) and slow fetal growth. If you have ET and become pregnant, be sure your doctor monitors you carefully throughout your pregnancy.
- Stroke. A clot that blocks blood flow to your brain can cause a stroke. If you develop signs and symptoms of a stroke, get immediate medical attention.
- Heart attack. A clot that obstructs blood flow to your heart can cause a heart attack. If you develop signs and symptoms of a heart attack, such as pressure, fullness or a squeezing pain in the center of your chest lasting more than a few minutes; pain extending to your shoulder, arm, back, teeth or jaw; shortness of breath; and sweating or clammy skin, get immediate medical attention.
Essential thrombocythemia can also cause bleeding (hemorrhage) with significant blood loss. A small minority of people with ET may later develop acute leukemia or myelofibrosis, both of which can be life-threatening:
- Acute leukemia. Acute myelogenous leukemia is a type of blood and bone marrow cancer that progresses rapidly.
- Myelofibrosis. This progressive bone marrow disorder results in bone marrow scarring, severe anemia, and enlargement of your liver and spleen.
References
- 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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