Polycythemia Vera Polycythemia Vera

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The definition of polycythemia vera has changed in recent years. Once considered a blood disorder only, polycythemia vera is now defined as a rare, chronic blood disorder that is a type of cancer. It is part of a group of myeloproliferative neoplasms, or diseases that affect the bone marrow and cause the body to make too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.

For more detailed information on polycythemia vera, the National Cancer Institute provides patient information on its Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms page. You can also find patient information on polycythemia vera on the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences website.