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Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders |
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Myeloproliferative disorders are a group of diseases in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Normally, the bone marrow makes stem cells (immature blood cells) that develop into mature blood cells. There are 3 types of mature blood cells: Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body. White blood cells that fight infection and disease. Platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. Myeloproliferative disorders begin in the bone marrow and may cause a greater than normal number of stem cells to develop into one or more types of blood cells. The disorders usually get worse slowly as the number of extra blood cells slowly increases. There are 6 types of chronic myeloproliferative disorders. The type of myeloproliferative disorder is based on whether too many red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets are being made. Sometimes the body will make too many of more than one type of blood cell, but usually one type of blood cell is affected more than the others are. Chronic myeloproliferative disorders include the following 6 types: Chronic myelogenous leukemia. Polycythemia vera. Chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis. Essential thrombocythemia. Chronic neutrophilic leukemia. Chronic eosinophilic leukemia. Chronic myeloproliferative disorders
sometimes become acute leukemia, in which too many abnormal white blood
cells are made. |
