MPN | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of myeloproliferative neoplasms?
Many people with MPNs do not have any symptoms; however, a routine blood test may confirm high levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Each type of MPN may cause varying symptoms. More common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Itching
- Raised blood pressure
Other symptoms are specific to the type of MPN.
What causes MPNs?
Although seen across all age groups, MPNs are more often seen in adults. A genetic mutation in a protein that regulates blood cell production — JAK2 — is found in a large number of people with MPNs, while a smaller number have other mutations in other genes, such as MPL or CALR. Nevertheless, the common denominator is that all these mutations activate the JAK2 pathway.
MPN | Diagnosis & Treatments
How are myeloproliferative neoplasms diagnosed?
To diagnosis a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), your doctor will complete a physical examination and request a thorough health history.
A series of tests will be performed to confirm the diagnosis, including:
- Complete blood count looking at the total number and type of blood cells in the blood
- Blood smear to examine you or your child’s blood under a microscope
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy for a definitive diagnosis
- Cytogenetic analysis to see whether chromosomes are abnormal
- Sequencing analysis of blood or bone marrow for common mutations causing MPNs
How are MPNs treated?
MPNs cannot be cured, but there are a number of different ways to manage the type of condition to safeguard short- and long-term health. Low-risk MPNs can be treated with low-dose aspirin along with a phlebotomy to reduce the risk of a blood clot. Higher-risk MPNs will require treatments to manage overactive blood cell production, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant, splenectomy, or targeted therapies.
Clinical trials may offer additional treatment options and promising new treatments or procedures.
How we care for MPNs
Children and teens with MPNs are treated through the Blood Disorders Center at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, an integrated pediatric hematology and oncology partnership between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, a world leader in the treatment and research of all types of pediatric blood disorders, including MPNs.
