Essential Thrombocythemia specifically is a chronic condition characterised by the excess platelets in the blood. It is a group of conditions named myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), which also includes myelofibrosis (MF) and polycythaemia vera (PV).
Symptoms of ET: In patients with Essential Thrombocythemia generally do not have any signs when they are diagnosed. These patients are identified after abnormal outcomes while on a routine complete blood test for anything else. In case symptoms appear, they tend to do so as time passes. The common essential thrombocythemia symptoms include:
What causes Essential Thrombocythemia: The essential thrombocytosis is a typical chronic myeloproliferative disorder. In this disorder, the bone marrow produces excess cells that mainly create platelets. The thrombocythemia causes are exactly not specified. Approximately 90% of people with this complication have a gene mutation contributing to disease. In case an underlying complication such as an infection or iron deficiency causes a high platelet count, it's known as secondary thrombocytosis. In comparison to essential thrombocythemia, the secondary thrombocytosis mainly causes less risk of blood clots as well as bleeding. How is ET diagnosed: The essential Thrombocythemia is mainly diagnosed with the help of laboratory tests including: Blood tests: It is able to identify an increase in the blood cells and exclude other causes of a high cell count. Gene mutation analysis: It is used in order to detect any gene mutations you may have, specifically JAK2, CALR or MPL. Bone marrow investigations: You may be prescribed either for a bone marrow aspiration or both an aspiration and bone marrow biopsy. This is performed in order to look for the classic signs of Essential Thrombocytosis. What is the prognosis of ET? The essential thrombocytosis prognosis may vary widely. Your haematologist is the appropriate person to instruct you on behalf of your individual circumstances. Treatment: A hematologist may recommend the specific essential thrombocytosis treatment as well as management. Those patients who are with reduced risk for clotting are basically observed without applying any therapy; low-dose aspirin may be used. Those patients who are with higher risk for clotting need medical therapy in order to decrease platelets to normal levels, and are prescribed for low-dose aspirin in order to protect clotting. Drug Therapy: Hydroxyurea (Hydrea), Anagrelide (Agrylin) and Interferon alfa (immediate-release preparations Intron A and Roferon-A and sustained-release preparations PEG-Intron and Pegasys), are the most widely prescribed medications for ET. Hydroxyurea (Hydrea): As a myelosuppressive agent, this medication can be prescribed as initial therapy for Essential Thrombocytosis. Hydroxyurea 500 mg is taken orally, and often effective in order to decrease the platelet count within a few weeks, with some short-term adverse reactions. Side effects of this drug may include:
Anagrelide (Agrylin): As a non cytotoxic agent, it is effective in order to decrease the platelet formation. The anagrelide capsules should be consumed by mouth. Some side effects of anagrelide may occur, including:
Low-dose aspirin: Aspirin is recommended to be given orally. It is useful for patients who are at the high risk for the clotting problems. In those patients who are with reduced risk for clotting, proof for its uses are comparatively less strong. This drug may also be responsible in order to increase the risk of bleeding in those patients who are with excess platelets. Plateletpheresis: In this process, a kind of special machine is used in order to skim the platelets in blood and then return the plasma and red cells to the patient. It is prescribed only in the emergency circumstances, such as complications of acute clotting, in case of extremely high platelet count and require to be reduced rapidly. JAK2 inhibitors: This helps in blocking the function of the JAK2 mutation which involves in order to slow down the blood cell production, reduces the spleen size and helps improve symptoms. Approximately 55% of patients with essential thrombocytosis have been detected to have a mutation named JAK2. Busulfan: This is usually recommended to be given to patients who have adverse reactions when consuming hydroxyurea. It may be prescribed as a tablet. Like hydroxyurea, busulfan directly affects the bone marrow and may be responsible for a fall in the blood cell counts. The common adverse reactions of busulfan include:
NOTE: Prior to starting any kind of treatment, consult a healthcare provider. In order to know more about any drug, read full PI (Prescribing Information).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy Name is Amit Sharma I am a pharmacist, I am having 25+ years of experience in Pharma medications. ArchivesCategories
All
|