Polycythemia vera (PV) is a disease that causes thick blood because the body makes too many red blood cells. There are two distinct forms of the disease: Primary polycythemia (polycythemia vera) is a myeloproliferative disorder of unknown etiology. Polycythemia vera (PCV), polycythemia rubra vera (PRV), and erythremia are the three possible pathophysiological conditions arisen by primary polycythemia. Polycythemia vera: This is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder (chronic erythroid leukemia) and is a neoplastic condition in which RBC production is autonomous and independent of erythropoietin concentrations. Figure 1: Polycythemia Vera: Myeloid Metaplasia Phase. A hematocrit which is around 55% to 83% can be observed. While a person may have certain signs and symptoms of polycythemia vera (PV), laboratory tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Information about diagnosing polycythemia vera (PV), including information about the tests used. … Polycythemia vera is an uncommon myeloproliferative neoplasm in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. PV is a rare, slow growing blood cancer that is a type of condition known as a myeloproliferative neoplasm. It is most commonly found by doctors in men over 60 years of age. The polycythemia is mainly characterized by the abnormalities in the bone marrow which produces red blood cells. Secondary polycythemia, similar to primary polycythemia vera, is a disorder that causes an overproduction of red blood cells. These extra cells cause the blood to be thicker than normal, increasing the risk for blood … Generally, a doctor will consider other conditions first. 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. But for some people, the disease still gets worse and turns into another blood cancer, despite treatment. Moreover, polycythemia is one cause of erythrocytosis where there are more red blood cells produced in both cases. Polycythemia vera is a condition characterized by an increased number of red blood cells in the bloodstream (erythrocytosis). Polycythemia and erythrocytosis are conditions which go hand in hand. Summary – Polycythemia vs Erythrocytosis. Secondary polycythemia affects some people as a result of limited oxygen due to smoking or living at high altitudes. In human patients, this has been shown to be largely due to a mutation in Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2). Polycythemia vera (also called primary polycythemia) is a rare growth disorder of the bone marrow, occurring when the marrow is overactive and produces more blood cells than the body needs. It may also result in the overproduction of white blood cells and platelets.. Polycythemia vera treatments help reduce your risk of symptoms and complications. When too many red blood cells are produced, the blood becomes thick, hindering its passage through the smaller blood vessels. Affected people may also have excess white blood cells and platelets.Conditions where the body makes too many of these cells are known as myeloproliferative neoplasms. Primary polycythemia is also called polycythemia vera (PV). If you have polycythemia vera, blood tests might reveal: More red blood cells than normal and, sometimes, an increase in platelets or white blood cells; A greater percentage of red blood cells that make up total blood volume (hematocrit measurement) There are two types of PV. Furthermore, the elevated hematocrit is the assay mark of this disorder. Most of the health concerns associated with polycythemia vera are caused by the blood being thicker as a result of the increased red blood cells.