Polycythemia Vera

📋Overview

Polycythemia Vera is classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm, a condition where the bone marrow produces an excessive number of blood cells. This overproduction primarily affects red blood cells but may also involve white blood cells and platelets, leading to increased blood thickness and potential circulation issues.

The condition is frequently associated with a mutation in the JAK2 gene, which provides instructions for making proteins that promote cell growth and division. This genetic change is typically acquired during a person's lifetime rather than inherited, causing the bone marrow to function abnormally and produce cells uncontrollably.