What are the symptoms of Polycythemia Vera?

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From the Research

Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera

The symptoms of Polycythemia Vera (PV) can vary, but some common symptoms include:

  • Headache and dizziness, related to hyperviscosity 1
  • Thrombotic and hemorrhagic predisposition, leading to an increased risk of blood clots and bleeding 2, 3
  • Erythrocytosis, or an overproduction of red blood cells, which can lead to a range of symptoms 2, 4, 3
  • Neurologic problems, such as headache and dizziness, in 50-80% of patients 1
  • Pruritus, or itching, which can be severe in some cases 4
  • Splenomegaly, or an enlarged spleen, which can cause symptoms such as pain and discomfort 4
  • Fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms related to the overproduction of red blood cells and the resulting hyperviscosity 5, 4

Treatment-Related Symptoms

In addition to the symptoms of the disease itself, some patients with PV may experience symptoms related to their treatment, such as:

  • Resistance or intolerance to hydroxyurea, a common treatment for PV 5, 4
  • Side effects from other treatments, such as ruxolitinib or interferon 4, 3

References

2
Research

Polycythemia vera.

Gaceta medica de Mexico, 2022

3
Research

New Perspectives on Polycythemia Vera: From Diagnosis to Therapy.

International journal of molecular sciences, 2020

4
Research

Polycythemia Vera (PV): Update on Emerging Treatment Options.

Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 2021

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