Home Blood cancer information Types of blood cancer Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN)

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN)

What is MPN?

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of disorders in which the bone marrow stem cells grow and reproduce abnormally. In MPN abnormal stem cells produce excess numbers of one or more types of blood cells (red cells, white cells and/or platelets). These abnormal cells cannot function properly and can cause serious health problems unless properly treated and controlled. MPNs are chronic diseases that, in most cases, remain stable for many years and progress gradually over time.

MPNs are sometimes described as being clonal blood stem cell disorders. This means that they result from a change, or mutation, in the DNA of a single blood stem cell. This change (or changes) results in abnormal blood cell development and in this case the overproduction of blood cells.

In MPN the original mutation is preserved when the affected stem cell divides (proliferates) and produces a ‘clone’: a group of identical stem cells all with the same defect. Mutations in dividing cells occur all the time and healthy cells have sophisticated mechanisms within them to stop these abnormalities persisting. But the longer we live, the more chance we have of acquiring mutations that manage to escape these safeguards.

MPNs are usually described according to the type of blood cell which is most affected. MPNs are closely related diseases, so it’s not uncommon for people to have features of more than one MPN when they are first diagnosed, or during the course of their illness. In some cases, one disorder may transform over time to another, or to a type of leukaemia called acute myeloid leukaemia.

How common is MPN?

Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a rare group of diseases. Polycythaemia vera is diagnosed in an estimated 250 Australians each year, essential thrombocythaemia around 200 and myelofibrosis an estimated 150. The rarer sub types of MPN, as a group, are diagnosed in less than 50 Australians per year.

Who gets MPN?

Most people with an MPN have no family history of the disease. MPN is more commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 50 although it can rarely occur in younger people, even very rarely in children.

What causes MPN?

The exact cause of MPNs remain unknown but there are likely to be a number of factors involved. That’s why MPNs, like most leukaemias and other cancers, become more common as we get older. A mutation of a particular gene (a segment of DNA that makes proteins) known as Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is found in a large proportion of people with MPNs. The exact meaning of this mutation remains unclear but it appears to play a role in the overproduction of blood cells seen in these disorders. The discovery of a mutation in the JAK2 gene is important because it is likely to have a significant impact on the way MPNs are diagnosed and treated.

Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene or very high doses of ionising radiation may increase the risk of myelofibrosis in a small number of cases. Around one third of people with myelofibrosis have been previously diagnosed with polycythaemia or essential thrombocythaemia.

What are the symptoms of MPN?

Many people have no symptoms when they are first diagnosed with an MPN and the disease is picked up accidentally during a routine blood test or physical examination. In other cases, people go to see their GP because they have some troubling symptoms of their disease. When symptoms do occur, they develop gradually over time. Common symptoms include:

headaches
blurred vision
fatigue
weakness
dizziness
itchiness (pruritus)
night sweats
raised blood pressure (hypertension).

Other symptoms experienced in MPN are a result of the affected cell involved with the MPN.

Types of MPN

Polycythaemia (rubra) vera

Enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly) is common and occurs in around 75% of cases. In some cases the liver may also be enlarged: this is called hepatomegaly. Some people experience gout, which usually presents as a painful inflammation of the big toe or foot. Some individuals may develop erythromelalgia, a rare condition characterised by intense burning pain of affected extremities and an increased skin temperature. In many cases, people with PV have a ruddy (red) complexion, and a reddening of the palms of their hands, the soles of their feet, ear lobes, mucous membranes and their eyes. This is due to the high numbers of red cells in the circulation.

As the blood is thicker than normal it cannot flow as easily, especially through the smaller blood vessels. If left untreated, this increases the risk of the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel. Blood clots are a common complication of PV and occur in around 30% of people, even before they are diagnosed. Bleeding and easy bruising can also occur. This is usually minor and occurs in around one quarter of all patients. Read more about PV here.

Essential thrombocythemia

Similar to polycythaemia vera many people have no symptoms when they are first diagnosed with ET. Thrombosis (blood clot) is a major complication of ET. Blood clots can occur in large or small arteries, interfering with the blood and oxygen supply to various organs or tissues. Older patients and those with a high platelet count, or a prior history of thrombosis, may be at increased risk.

A major aim of treatment in ET is to reduce your platelet count, and therefore your risk of thrombosis. Less commonly, people experience symptoms of abnormal bleeding including bruising for no apparent reason, or exaggerated or prolonged bleeding following minor cuts or injury. In pregnancy, uncontrolled ET can reduce the blood supply to the placenta or fetus. This can cause problems with fetal growth and may in some cases lead to miscarriage. An enlarged spleen is common and occurs in around 30% of cases of ET. In some cases the liver may also be enlarged (hepatomegaly). Read more about ET here.

Myelofibrosis

Virtually all patients with myelofibrosis have an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) when they are first diagnosed, although around 20% of people will have no symptoms. In around a third of cases the spleen is very enlarged. Abdominal discomfort can also result from an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), which occurs in around two-thirds of cases. Other less common symptoms include bone and joint pain, and bleeding problems.

More information about myeloproliferative neoplasms

MPN diagnosis MPN treatment and side effects The MPN Alliance Australia

Last updated on March 26th, 2020

Developed by the Leukaemia Foundation in consultation with people living with a blood cancer, Leukaemia Foundation support staff, haematology nursing staff and/or Australian clinical haematologists. This content is provided for information purposes only and we urge you to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis, treatment and answers to your medical questions, including the suitability of a particular therapy, service, product or treatment in your circumstances. The Leukaemia Foundation shall not bear any liability for any person relying on the materials contained on this website.

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