Polycythaemia Vera
Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a rare, slow-growing blood cancer in which the bone marrow produces far too many red blood cells. The resulting thickening of the blood raises the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
Key takeaways
- Symptoms arise from sluggish, thickened blood and elevated blood pressure within the vessels.
- Treatment decisions depend on the exact diagnosis, stage, pathology findings, overall health and the goals agreed with an oncology team.
- Treatment focuses on reducing blood viscosity and cutting clot risk.
Catalogue matches do not define a cancer regimen; anticancer treatment requires diagnosis, staging and specialist prescribing.
Recognising the signs
Common complaints include persistent headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and a flushed, itchy skin, particularly after a hot bath or shower (aquagenic pruritus). Some people notice fullness or discomfort on the left side of the abdomen caused by an enlarged spleen. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience sudden weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, chest pain, or severe shortness of breath, these may signal a clot or stroke requiring emergency care.
How polycythaemia vera is managed
Regular venesection (removing a unit of blood) is the first step for many patients. When venesection alone is insufficient, cytoreductive therapy is added; hydroxycarbamide is the most widely used agent and sits within oncology support care. Low-dose aspirin is typically given alongside to thin the blood further. PV requires lifelong monitoring by a haematologist, as a small proportion of cases can transform over time into myelofibrosis or acute leukaemia.
When to seek urgent care
Call emergency services for signs of a clot: sudden chest pain or breathlessness, one-sided leg swelling, facial droop, arm weakness or speech difficulty. Unusual bleeding, severe headache or new visual symptoms need prompt review by the treating team.