When you share what it’s like to have secondary polycythemia through your profile, those stories and data appear here too. 1993 Mar. Patnaik MM, Tefferi A. [Medline]. 17(3):518-22; discussion 522-3. In secondary erythrocytosis, only red blood cells (RBCs) are increased, whereas in polycythemia vera, RBCs, white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets will usually be increased. What causes the change in the JAK2 gene isn't known. Patakas DA, Christaki PI, Louridas GE, Sproule BJ. Prchal JF, Prchal JT. Secondary polycythemia is reported frequently in other conditions, such as other types of brain tumors or in some of the endocrinopathies, but careful evaluation of the absolute erythrocytic and plasma volumes in these cases often discloses a normal total volume of erythrocytes and a reduced plasma volume. Van Maerken T, Hunninck K, Callewaert L, et al. Secondary polycythemia is defined as an absolute increase in red blood cell mass that is caused by enhanced stimulation of red blood cell production. [Full Text]. 296(6):E1319-25. Read about it on the, Interacting with other PatientsLikeMe members improves your health. In secondary erythrocytosis, only red blood cells (RBCs) are increased, whereas in polycythemia vera, RBCs, white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets will usually be increased. 1975 Oct. 12(4):353-82. Common symptoms reported by people with secondary polycythemia https://www.linkedin.com/company/patientslikeme, https://www.instagram.com/patientslikemeinc/. Secondary polycythemia is usually caused by an exposure to low oxygen over an extended amount of time. Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare blood cancer. Parathyroid tumors, benign fibroids, adrenal gland tumors, certain brain tumors, kidney cancer, and liver cancer can also result in too much EPO. Polycythemia. Balcerzak SP, Bromberg PA. Molecular basis for polycythemia. Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a rare slow-growing blood cancer where the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. Semin Hematol. Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug ReferenceDisclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. Secondary polycythemia is also called secondary erythrocytosis. Information on PatientsLikeMe.com is reported by our members and is not medical advice. A guideline for the diagnosis and management of polycythaemia vera. Patients usually will have a high white blood cell count, enlarged spleen or heightened platelet count in general. The most common causes of secondary polycythemia include obstructive sleep apnea, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). [Medline]. Secondary polycythemia most often develops as a response to chronic hypoxemia, which triggers increased production of erythropoietin by the kidneys. Passamonti F. How to manage polycythemia vera. Emmanuel C Besa, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Education, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American College of Clinical Pharmacology, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society of Hematology, New York Academy of SciencesDisclosure: Nothing to disclose. Secondary polycythemia - also called reactive polycythemia - is characterized by excessive production of circulating red blood cells (RBCs) due to hypoxia, tumor, or disease.It occurs in about 2 out of every 100,000 persons who live at or near sea level; incidence increases among people who live at high altitudes. 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