General Information About Myelofibrosis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a disease where the internal structure of the bone marrow, the primary blood production center, becomes barren and unable to produce blood due to dense fibrous scar tissue resulting from genetic mutations (JAK2, CALR).
When the bone marrow ceases blood production, the body shifts the task of hematopoiesis back to the spleen (and liver), reverting to its fetal state to sustain survival. Overworked, the spleen enlarges over time, potentially filling the entire abdominal cavity.
Chronic fatigue due to profound anemia, left upper quadrant abdominal pain and early satiety due to splenomegaly, night sweats, unexplained fever, and bone pain are the primary symptoms.
The appearance of abnormal 'tear-drop' cells in the peripheral blood raises suspicion. A definitive diagnosis is established by evaluating the internal scar tissue via a 'Bone Marrow Biopsy' obtained from the iliac crest.
Yes. It is a chronic and slowly progressive blood cancer classified under the group of myeloproliferative neoplasms. If left untreated, it carries a risk of transforming into acute leukemia (blastic crisis).
Targeted smart tablets (JAK inhibitors) are utilized to suppress splenomegaly and symptoms caused by the disease. Regular blood transfusions are performed for anemia. In young and eligible patients, the only curative therapy that completely eradicates the disease is Allogeneic Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) Transplantation.
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