Learn About Myelofibrosis
View Main Condition: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN)
Myelofibrosis is a disorder of the bone marrow in which the marrow is replaced by fibrous scar tissue.
Idiopathic myelofibrosis; Myeloid metaplasia; Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia; Primary myelofibrosis; Secondary myelofibrosis; Bone marrow - myelofibrosis
Bone marrow is the soft, fatty tissue inside your bones. Stem cells are immature cells in the bone marrow that develop into all of your blood cells. Your blood is made of:
- Red blood cells (which carry oxygen to your tissues)
- White blood cells (which fight infection)
- Platelets (which help your blood clot)
When the bone marrow is scarred, it cannot make enough blood cells. Anemia, bleeding problems, and a higher risk for infections may occur.
As a result, the liver and spleen try to make some of these blood cells. This causes these organs to swell.
The cause of myelofibrosis is often unknown. There are no known risk factors. When it occurs, it often develops slowly in people over age 50. Women and men are equally affected. There is an increased occurrence of this condition in Ashkenazi Jews.
Blood and bone marrow cancers, such as myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia, and lymphoma, may also cause bone marrow scarring. This is called secondary myelofibrosis.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Abdominal fullness, pain, or feeling full before finishing a meal (because of an enlarged spleen)
- Bone pain
- Easy bleeding, bruising
- Fatigue
- Increased likelihood of getting an infection
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath with exercise
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Low grade fever
- Enlarged liver
- Dry cough
- Itchy skin
Bone marrow or stem cell transplant may improve symptoms, and may cure the disease. This treatment is usually considered for younger people.
Other treatment may involve:
- Blood transfusions and medicines to correct anemia
- Radiation and chemotherapy
- Targeted medicines
- Removal of the spleen (splenectomy) if swelling causes symptoms, or to help with anemia
David Snyder is a Hematologist and an Oncologist in Duarte, California. Dr. Snyder is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myelofibrosis. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), Myelofibrosis, Essential Thrombocythemia, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute
Ruben Mesa is a Hematologist and an Oncologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Mesa is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myelofibrosis. His top areas of expertise are Myelofibrosis, Polycythemia Vera, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Splenectomy. Dr. Mesa is currently accepting new patients.
Uke
Nicolaus Kroger practices in Hamburg, Germany. Kroger is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Myelofibrosis. Their top areas of expertise are Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD), Myelofibrosis, Leukemia, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Graft.
As the disease worsens, the bone marrow slowly stops working. Low platelet count leads to easy bleeding. Spleen swelling may get worse along with anemia.
The average survival of people with primary myelofibrosis is about 5 years. But some people survive for decades.
Complications may include:
- Development of acute myelogenous leukemia
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Liver failure
Make an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of this disorder. Seek medical care right away for uncontrolled bleeding, shortness of breath, or jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes) that gets worse.
Summary: This phase II trial tests how well a ruxolitinib-based graft versus host disease (GVHD) prevention (prophylaxis) regimen works before, during, and after bone marrow/stem cell transplantation (hematopoietic cell transplantation \[HCT\]) in patients with acquired aplastic anemia. Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is a condition in which the bone marrow is unable to produce blood cells. Affected patients...
Summary: This phase II trial evaluates how a curcumin supplement (C3 complex/Bioperine) changes the inflammatory response and symptomatology in patients with clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS), low risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Chronic inflammation drives disease development and contributes to symptoms experienced by patients with CCUS, LR...
Published Date: June 17, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Gotlib J. Polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 157.
Venugopal S, Najfeld V, Keyzner A, Jamal SME, Ronald H, Mascarenhas J. Primary myelofibrosis and chronic neutrophilic leukemia. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 70.