Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia

Overview

Mayo Clinic is a world leader in treating patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (myelofibrosis). In 2004 Mayo physicians treated more than 1,000 people affected with this rare disease. Specialists in hematology and transplant provide a compassionate and multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of myelofibrosis. Diagnosis and treatment of myelofibrosis can be complicated, as the disease may exhibit symptoms that are similar to other disorders.

Diagnosis

Physicians diagnose myelofibrosis based on the clinical symptoms. Typically a small sample of bone marrow is removed via a biopsy and experienced hematopathologists analyze the bone marrow chromosomes to exclude other diseases. The diagnosis of myelofibrosis should be confirmed by a medical facility such as Mayo Clinic which has experience with this disorder.

Treatment Options

No known drugs can cure myelofibrosis. However, drugs can alleviate some symptoms of the disorder. Mayo Clinic has studied many drug therapies for the disease and continues to study new ones via clinical trials. Bone marrow transplantation can potentially cure some people but its serious side effects make it too risky for the majority of myelofibrosis patients. Mayo Clinic is studying a less toxic "mini-transplant." Hematologists at Mayo Clinic work hard to help patients manage their disease with the best treatment possible. Read more about treatment of myelofibrosis.

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What is Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia?

Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia is a chronic form of leukemia. It causes secondary scarring or "fibrosis" in the bone marrow. The disease, also known as agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, may arise by itself or evolve from other myeloproliferative diseases (diseases that cause overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow) such as essential thrombocythemia or polycythemia vera. Typically people develop myelofibrosis around age 60. The disease can lead to progressive bone marrow dysfunction and anemia, and decreases in other key blood cells such as infection-fighting white blood cells and blood-clotting platelets.