Most of the time, it is used in place of erythrocythemia, or pure red blood cell increase, such as in secondary polycythemia. The most common treatment for polychythemia vera is having frequent blood withdrawals, using a needle in a vein (phlebotomy). Polycythemia refers to an increased hemoglobin concentration and/or hematocrit in peripheral blood. The primary treatment is to alleviate the underlying condition, but oxygen therapy may help, and phlebotomy may decrease viscosity and alleviate symptoms. This topic discusses the causes of polycythemia and our approach to evaluation and diagnosis. Treatment focuses on reducing your risk of complications. Polycythemia vera (PV) is the commonest myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), the ultimate phenotypic consequence of JAK2 somatic driver mutations, and the MPN most often complicated by arterial and venous thrombosis because it is the only one in which erythrocytosis occurs. In severe secondary polycythemia when altitude is a contributing factor, relocation may be advisable. Blood withdrawals. There's no cure for polycythemia vera. The previous guideline was published in 2005 (McMullin et al, 2005) with an amendment in 2007 (McMullin et al, 2007) to update the diagnostic criteria following the discovery of the JAK 2 mutation in patients with polycythaemia vera (PV). Polycythemia vera (PV) is the commonest myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), the ultimate phenotypic consequence of JAK2 somatic driver mutations, and the MPN most often complicated by arterial and venous thrombosis because it is the only one in which erythrocytosis occurs. Diagnosing the specific cause of polycythemia is important for proper management of the patient. Secondary causes of increased red blood cell mass (e.g., heavy smoking, chronic pulmonary disease, renal disease) are more common than polycythemia vera and must be excluded. Polycythemia refers to an absolute increase of red blood cell counts or mass. Secondary polycythemia results from excess stimulation of erythropoiesis, mainly due to elevated serum levels of erythropoietin.… Secondary Polycythemia: Read more about Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications, Causes and … These treatments may also ease your symptoms. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan. If secondary polycythemia has produced hazardous hyperviscosity, or if the patient doesn't respond to treatment for the primary disease, reduction of blood volume by phlebotomy or pheresis may be effective. Proper treatment of the underlying condition in polycythemia, when possible, is important, such as the following: Provide oxygen supplementation to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Treatment. It's the same procedure used for donating blood. It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The word polycythemia indicates increased red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.