hematology and oncology
Essential Thrombocythemia
Prognosis for Essential Thrombocythemia
Life expectancy is nearly normal. Although symptoms are common, the course of the disease is usually benign. Serious arterial thrombotic complications are rare but can be life-threatening. Leukemic transformation occurs in<2% of patients but may increase after exposure to cytotoxic therapy, includinghydroxyurea. Some patients develop secondary myelofibrosis, particularly men with theJAK2V617ForCALRtype 1 mutations. Patients with essential thrombocythemia who test negative for all 3 mutations (JAK2 V617F,CALR,MPL) are rare and have a good prognosis. 