Primary And Secondary Polycythemia Research Paper

Title Page:

Name: Eleftherios Papaeleftheriou

Study Group: 3055

Topic: Primary and Secondary Polycythemia

Date: 24/02/2015

Abstract:

Polycythemia (from Greek meaning = polys: many, kytos: cells, haema: blood) is a pathological condition at which the percentage volume of erythrocytes in blood, also called the hematocrit, increases. In more than 80% of the cases reported, the hematocrit had a value greater than 55%. It is sometimes referred to as erythrocytosis. However polycythemia is not exactly synonymous to erythrocytosis as polycythemia stands for an increase in red blood cells and erythrocytosis refers to an increase of red blood cell mass. An alteration on the hematocrit value can occur due to either an increase in the number of red

It occupies 45% and 40% in males and females respectively. That difference of 5% can be explained due to the difference of the production of testosterone between the two genders. It is maintained according to the oxygen availability and demands of the body. The measure of the hematocrit can be a reliable method for examining the presence of various pathologies such as anemia, which is defined as a disease state of very low hematocrit levels, or even polycythemia which is explained as exactly the opposite with abnormally high hematocrit

For instance an abnormality in the bone marrow could lead to polycythemia vera, polycythemia rubra vera or erythemia. These are classified as myeloproliferative disorders (disorders concerning the bone marrow and the cell production), which are usually accompanied with an increase in the numbers of platelets and white blood cells as well as an increase in red blood cell numbers. These disorders are characterized by headaches and dizziness (ventigo) and a physical examination will show hepatosplenomegaly. Patients may also have high blood pressure or an ease to the formation of thrombi.

Polycythemia can be considered a life threatening disease, as it can increase the blood viscosity and lead to further complications such as thrombosis. In the majority of the patients a hematocrit >55% is experienced in a serologic examination. The emergency treatment to that is phlebotomy or the application of cytostatic drugs.

There is also a great chance of experiencing a hereditary form of the polycythemia, called primary familial polycythemia, which is a benign condition inherited with an autosomal dominant manner characterized by a mutation on the erythropoietin receptor