Myelofibrosis medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujit Routray, M.D. [2]
Overview
Medical Therapy
Asymptomatic low-risk patients should be followed with a watchful waiting approach. Some individuals remain symptom-free for years. The development of symptomatic anemia, marked leukocytosis, drenching night sweats, weight loss, fever, or symptomatic splenomegaly would warrant therapeutic intervention.[1]
Treatment for Anemia
- Red blood cell transfusion:The profound anemia that develops in this disease usually requires red blood cell transfusion. Red blood cell survival is markedly decreased in some patients; this can sometimes be treated with glucocorticoids.
- Androgen therapy: Danazol may stimulate the production of red blood cells and decrease the anemia.
- Erythropoietic growth factors: Erythropoietin and darbepoetin are less likely to help when patients are transfusion dependent or manifest a serum erythropoietin level greater than 125 U/L.
- Thalidomide, lenalidomide, or pomalidomide: These drugs may help in elevating the red blood cell counts, thus improving anemia, and reverse the splenomegaly. However, patients on thalidomide, lenalidomide, or pomalidomide require prophylaxis for avoiding thrombosis and careful monitoring for hematologic toxicity.
References
- ↑ Treatment overview of primary myelofibrosis. National cancer institute 2016. http://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative/hp/chronic-treatment-pdq#section/_9. Accessed on March 10, 2016