Below, you’ll find must-know information about myelofibrosis.
Myelofibrosis is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow. It is a rare form of cancer that affects the bone marrow and impairs the body’s ability to make healthy blood cells.
As the fibrous tissue in the bone marrow grows, it can replace healthy blood-forming cells with non-functioning cells.
Myelofibrosis leads to significant scarring in the bone marrow. If myelofibrosis is not treated, the disease can progress and lead to a number of serious complications.
This can lead to a reduction in the number of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells in the body, which can cause anemia, fatigue, infection, and bleeding.
Myelofibrosis is a serious condition that can progress over time and lead to several complications.
It can increase the risk of blood clots, which can lead to serious health problems such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
In some cases, myelofibrosis can transform into acute leukemia, which is a more aggressive form of blood cancer.
Myelofibrosis primarily affects adults over the age of 60 and men are slightly more likely to develop it than women.
People with a family history of myelofibrosis and exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzene, may be at a higher risk of developing the condition.
Furthermore, people with other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), such as polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia, have a higher risk of developing myelofibrosis.
It’s important to know the symptoms of myelofibrosis to slow the progression of the disease.
Below are symptoms of myelofibrosis worth knowing.
11. Fatigue And Weakness
The abnormal growth of fibrous tissue in the bone marrow can lead to an overproduction of white blood cells which can further compromise the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells and lead to fatigue and weakness.
Another factor that can contribute to fatigue and weakness is the increased production of cytokines, which are small proteins that are involved in cell signaling. In Myelofibrosis, there is an overproduction of cytokines, which can cause inflammation and lead to fatigue and weakness.
10. Night Sweats
One of the hallmarks of myelofibrosis is the overproduction of white blood cells. This can cause the body to produce excess levels of cytokines, a type of protein that plays a role in cell signaling and causes inflammation.
The overproduction of cytokines can cause sweating, particularly at night. In some cases, night sweats can be severe and affect the patient’s quality of life.
9. Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly, or an enlarged spleen, is a common complication of myelofibrosis. The spleen, which is responsible for filtering and removing old or damaged blood cells from circulation, becomes overworked and enlarged as it tries to compensate for the dysfunction of the bone marrow.
The fibrous tissue in the bone marrow can trap blood cells, leading to an accumulation of cells in the spleen and further enlargement.
8. Weight Loss
Splenomegaly can also play a role in weight loss. It can decrease the patient’s appetite due to the discomfort caused by an enlarged spleen or feeling full from the spleen pressing on the stomach.
The disease can also have a psychological impact, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety which could contribute to weight loss.
7. Bone Pain
Myelofibrosis causes the bone marrow to become hard and thickened. This causes the connective tissues that surround the bones also become inflamed.
This inflammation can cause pain and discomfort in the bones, leading to achy or tender bones and joint tenderness. The inflammation can also cause swelling and stiffness in the joints, which can further contribute to pain and discomfort.
6. Shortness Of Breath
Splenomegaly can result in a buildup of fluid in the lungs. It can compress the diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe. Anemia, which is another symptom of the disease, reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. This also causes the individual to experience shortness of breath.
The accumulation of fibrous tissue in the bone marrow can also cause difficulty in breathing
5. Bruising Easily
Myelofibrosis can cause the bone marrow to produce abnormal platelets, which are the blood cells responsible for clotting. These abnormal platelets can be less effective at forming clots, leading to easy bruising.
Myelofibrosis can also cause the spleen to enlarge, which can trap platelets and lead to a decrease in the number of circulating platelets in the body, further contributing to easy bruising.
4. Bleeding Easily
There are a number of causes of bleeding in myelofibrosis. One of which is abnormal platelets that can increase the risk of bleeding. Low platelet count can also lead to thrombocytopenia, which causes bleeding under the skin.
Splenomegaly can also cause the individual to bleed easily since it traps platelets and red blood cells. This leads to a decrease in the number of circulating blood cells in the body, which can cause bleeding.
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