Thrombocythemia

Diagnosis

Patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) invariably have an elevated platelet count. Platelets, produced in the bone marrow, are involved in normal clotting of the blood. In patients with ET, however, the blood may clot excessively or may not clot enough, leading to complications.

Too many platelets can cause blood clots in the legs or lungs or clots leading to strokes or heart attacks. Clotting may also occur in unusual locations such as the veins in the abdomen and liver.

Too few platelets can cause bleeding in the form of spontaneous bruising, bleeding from mucus membranes such as the nose or gums, or heavy menses. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening.

Additional unusual symptoms may include a painful burning sensation of the hands or feet, often associated with red discoloration.

Not all patients have symptoms, and this disease is sometimes found incidentally when a person is being checked for another medical problem. Many patients will have no symptoms during the course of their disease. ET is most common in patients older than 60, but it also occurs in younger people.