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A Facebook Live Chat Follow-up: Unanswered Questions

Paul Larson, MSN-NP, AOCNP®

Author: Paul Larson, MSN-NP, AOCNP®

Paul is an Incyte Oncology Nurse Educator who participated in the Voices of MPN Facebook Live Chat on April 18, 2018.

I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to respond to questions about myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) from patients and caregivers during the Facebook Live Chat in April. There were so many questions that we ran out of time before we could answer them all. The questions below cover key topics, so I'd like to address them here.

Q. Can essential thrombocythemia (ET) progress to polycythemia vera (PV) and then progress to a third stage, myelofibrosis (MF)?

A. Both ET and PV may worsen (or progress) and turn into MF (post–essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis or post–polycythemia vera myelofibrosis). Once a person develops MF, they don’t return to having ET or PV.

Q. Do you know of any tips on helping or lessening tingling in the hands and feet for patients with PV?

Working with your Healthcare Professional to control your disease is the best way to help lessen tingling in the hands and feet.

Q. Why can blood counts vary so much from test to test?

A. Small variations in blood count levels can occur even in people who aren’t affected by MPNs. Because your bone marrow affects the production of blood cells, it’s important to discuss any changes in your blood counts with your Healthcare Professional. If your blood tests reveal major ups or downs in your blood count levels, be sure to have this evaluated by your Healthcare Professional.

Q. In your experience, are MPNs commonly linked to genetic mutations?

A. There are a number of different changes—or mutations—in certain genes that are common in patients with MPNs.

Please note that your Healthcare Professional is the best source for treatment-related questions and medical advice.

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