MyelofibrosisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Aaron Gerds is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Gerds has been practicing medicine for over 24 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myelofibrosis. His top areas of expertise are Myelofibrosis, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN), Polycythemia Vera, Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Adult Leukemia Program
Martha Wadleigh is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Wadleigh is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myelofibrosis. Her top areas of expertise are Myelofibrosis, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN), Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
As a physician scientist in the hematological malignancies and stem cell transplantation division with Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Johns Hopkins, my focus is on the various aspects of cellular therapy in the treatment of hematological malignancies. My primary research focus is to develop strategies to prevent relapse of hematological malignancies following allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Additionally, I serve as the director of the adult CAR T program for hematological malignancies as we grow our CAR T program to help patients with advanced hematological malignancies. My academic interest in this space lies in studying the aspects of toxicity of CAR T cell therapy with an aim to improve long term outcomes in these patients. Among hematological malignancies, myeloproliferative disorders are my area of interest and I work to study newer drugs in early phase of development and also its treatment using allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Patient appointments: 410-955-8893. Dr. Jain is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Myelofibrosis. Her top areas of expertise are Myelofibrosis, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN), Splenomegaly, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Splenectomy.
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: The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of selinexor in JAKi-naïve participants with myelofibrosis (MF) and with normal platelet counts or with mild to moderate thrombocytopenia based on spleen volume reduction (SVR). Additional efficacy and safety parameters will also be assessed during the study.
Summary: This phase II trial compares the effect of ASTX727 in combination with iadademstat to ASTX727 alone in treating patients with accelerated or blast phase Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). ASTX727 is a combination of two drugs, cedazuridine and decitabine. Cedazuridine is in a class of medications called cytidine deaminase inhibitors. It prevents the breakdown of ...
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.