Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Primary myelofibrosis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Idiopathic myelofibrosis; Myeloid metaplasia; Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia; Primary myelofibrosis; Secondary myelofibrosis


Symptoms
  • Abdominal fullness related to an enlarged spleen
  • Bone pain
  • Bruising
  • Easy bleeding
  • Fatigue
  • Increased likelihood of getting an infection
  • Pallor
  • Shortness of breath with exercise

Signs and tests

Physical examination shows swelling of the spleen. Later in the disease, it may also show an enlarged liver.

Tests that may be done include:

  • CBC (complete blood count)

An examination of the blood shows teardrop-shaped red blood cells. Bone marrow biopsy may be done to rule out other causes of the symptoms.


Review Date: 06/02/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)