U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Polycythemia

MedGen UID:
18552
Concept ID:
C0032461
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Polycythaemia; Polycythemia (disease)
SNOMED CT: Erythrocythemia (109992005); Polycythemia (127062003)
 
HPO: HP:0001901
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0005571
Orphanet: ORPHA98427

Definition

Polycythemia is diagnosed if the red blood cell count, the hemoglobin level, and the red blood cell volume all exceed the upper limits of normal. [from HPO]

Conditions with this feature

Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
MedGen UID:
42458
Concept ID:
C0019562
Disease or Syndrome
Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL) is characterized by hemangioblastomas of the brain, spinal cord, and retina; renal cysts and clear cell renal cell carcinoma; pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma; pancreatic cysts and neuroendocrine tumors; endolymphatic sac tumors; and epididymal and broad ligament cystadenomas. Retinal hemangioblastomas may be the initial manifestation of VHL and can cause vision loss. Cerebellar hemangioblastomas may be associated with headache, vomiting, gait disturbances, or ataxia. Spinal hemangioblastomas and related syrinx usually present with pain. Sensory and motor loss may develop with cord compression. Renal cell carcinoma occurs in about 70% of individuals with VHL and is the leading cause of mortality. Pheochromocytomas can be asymptomatic but may cause sustained or episodic hypertension. Pancreatic lesions often remain asymptomatic and rarely cause endocrine or exocrine insufficiency. Endolymphatic sac tumors can cause hearing loss of varying severity, which can be a presenting symptom. Cystadenomas of the epididymis are relatively common. They rarely cause problems, unless bilateral, in which case they may result in infertility.
Deficiency of cytochrome-b5 reductase
MedGen UID:
75661
Concept ID:
C0268193
Disease or Syndrome
Methemoglobinemia due to NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized clinically by decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, with resultant cyanosis and hypoxia (review by Percy and Lappin, 2008). There are 2 types of methemoglobin reductase deficiency. In type I, the defect affects the soluble form of the enzyme, is restricted to red blood cells, and causes well-tolerated methemoglobinemia. In type II, the defect affects both the soluble and microsomal forms of the enzyme and is thus generalized, affecting red cells, leukocytes, and all body tissues. Type II methemoglobinemia is associated with mental deficiency and other neurologic symptoms. The neurologic symptoms may be related to the major role played by the cytochrome b5 system in the desaturation of fatty acids (Vives-Corrons et al., 1978; Kaplan et al., 1979).
Fumarase deficiency
MedGen UID:
87458
Concept ID:
C0342770
Disease or Syndrome
Fumarate hydratase (FH) deficiency results in severe neonatal and early infantile encephalopathy that is characterized by poor feeding, failure to thrive, hypotonia, lethargy, and seizures. Dysmorphic facial features include frontal bossing, depressed nasal bridge, and widely spaced eyes. Many affected individuals are microcephalic. A spectrum of brain abnormalities are seen on magnetic resonance imaging, including cerebral atrophy, enlarged ventricles and generous extra-axial cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) spaces, delayed myelination for age, thinning of the corpus callosum, and an abnormally small brain stem. Brain malformations including bilateral polymicrogyria and absence of the corpus callosum can also be observed. Development is severely affected: most affected individuals are nonverbal and nonambulatory, and many die during early childhood. Less severely affected individuals with moderate cognitive impairment and long-term survival have been reported.
Deficiency of bisphosphoglycerate mutase
MedGen UID:
489898
Concept ID:
C1291620
Disease or Syndrome
A rare, autosomal recessive, inherited disorder caused by mutation of the BPGM gene. It is characterized by hemolytic anemia and splenomegaly.
ABCD syndrome
MedGen UID:
333014
Concept ID:
C1838099
Disease or Syndrome
ABCD syndrome (ABCDS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by albinism, black lock, cell migration disorder of the neurocytes of the gut (Hirschsprung disease), and deafness (summary by Verheij et al., 2002).
Telangiectasia, hereditary hemorrhagic, type 2
MedGen UID:
324960
Concept ID:
C1838163
Disease or Syndrome
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by the presence of multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that lack intervening capillaries and result in direct connections between arteries and veins. The most common clinical manifestation is spontaneous and recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis) beginning on average at age 12 years. Telangiectases (small AVMs) are characteristically found on the lips, tongue, buccal and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, face, and fingers. The appearance of telangiectases is generally later than epistaxis but may be during childhood. Large AVMs occur most often in the lungs, liver, or brain; complications from bleeding or shunting may be sudden and catastrophic. A minority of individuals with HHT have GI bleeding, which is rarely seen before age 50 years.
Pyruvate kinase hyperactivity
MedGen UID:
350114
Concept ID:
C1863224
Disease or Syndrome
Elevation of red cell ATP levels is accompanied by elevated red cell pyruvate kinase activity and mild erythrocytosis. Red cell life span is slightly shortened. The patients in whom this trait was first described were asymptomatic (summary by Beutler et al., 1997).
Erythrocytosis, familial, 4
MedGen UID:
435867
Concept ID:
C2673187
Disease or Syndrome
Familial erythrocytosis-4 (ECYT4) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by increased serum red blood cell mass and hemoglobin concentration as well as elevated serum erythropoietin (EPO; 133170). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of familial erythrocytosis, see ECYT1 (133100).
Hypermanganesemia with dystonia, polycythemia, and cirrhosis
MedGen UID:
412958
Concept ID:
C2750442
Disease or Syndrome
Hypermanganesemia with dystonia 1 (HMNDYT1) is characterized by the following: A movement disorder resulting from manganese accumulation in the basal ganglia. Whole-blood manganese concentrations that often exceed 2000 nmol/L (normal: <320 nmol/L). Polycythemia. Hepatomegaly with variable hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. Neurologic findings can manifest in childhood (ages 2-15 years) as four-limb dystonia, leading to a characteristic high-stepping gait ("cock-walk gait"), dysarthria, fine tremor, and bradykinesia or on occasion spastic paraplegia; or in adulthood as parkinsonism (shuffling gait, rigidity, bradykinesia, hypomimia, and monotone speech) unresponsive to L-dopa treatment.
Ogden syndrome
MedGen UID:
477078
Concept ID:
C3275447
Disease or Syndrome
Ogden syndrome (OGDNS) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by postnatal growth failure, severely delayed psychomotor development, variable dysmorphic features, and hypotonia. Many patients also have cardiac malformations or arrhythmias (summary by Popp et al., 2015).
Telangiectasia, hereditary hemorrhagic, type 1
MedGen UID:
1643786
Concept ID:
C4551861
Disease or Syndrome
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by the presence of multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that lack intervening capillaries and result in direct connections between arteries and veins. The most common clinical manifestation is spontaneous and recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis) beginning on average at age 12 years. Telangiectases (small AVMs) are characteristically found on the lips, tongue, buccal and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, face, and fingers. The appearance of telangiectases is generally later than epistaxis but may be during childhood. Large AVMs occur most often in the lungs, liver, or brain; complications from bleeding or shunting may be sudden and catastrophic. A minority of individuals with HHT have GI bleeding, which is rarely seen before age 50 years.
Erythrocytosis, familial, 5
MedGen UID:
1638941
Concept ID:
C4693552
Disease or Syndrome
Erythrocytosis-5 (ECYT5) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by increased red cell mass and typically elevated hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit. Some patients have increased serum EPO levels (summary by Zmajkovic et al., 2018). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of familial erythrocytosis, see ECYT1 (133100).
Erythrocytosis, familial, 6
MedGen UID:
1634191
Concept ID:
C4693822
Disease or Syndrome
Familial erythrocytosis-6 is characterized by an increased oxygen affinity of hemoglobin (Hb), which results in decreased delivery of oxygen into the peripheral tissues and compensatory polycythemia. Patients are generally asymptomatic, as compensatory polycythemia assures normal oxygen tissue delivery. Patients have normal red cell morphology (summary by Kralovics and Prchal, 2000). Wajcman and Galacteros (2005) noted that although high oxygen affinity hemoglobins are usually well tolerated in young patients, they can lead to thrombotic complications in older patients or when they are associated with another cause that increases thrombotic risk. Wajcman and Galacteros (2005) also noted that the effect of increased oxygen affinity of Hb caused by an alpha chain variant (see 617981) is usually milder than that caused by a beta chain variant.
Erythrocytosis, familial, 7
MedGen UID:
1642594
Concept ID:
C4693823
Disease or Syndrome
Familial erythrocytosis-7 (ECYT7) is characterized by an increased oxygen affinity of hemoglobin (Hb), which results in decreased delivery of oxygen into the peripheral tissues and compensatory polycythemia. Patients are generally asymptomatic, as compensatory polycythemia assures normal oxygen tissue delivery. Patients have normal red cell morphology (summary by Kralovics and Prchal, 2000). Wajcman and Galacteros (2005) noted that although high oxygen affinity hemoglobins are usually well tolerated in young patients, they can lead to thrombotic complications in older patients or when they are associated with another cause that increases thrombotic risk. Wajcman and Galacteros (2005) also noted that the effect of increased oxygen affinity of Hb caused by an alpha chain variant is usually milder than that caused by a beta chain variant (see 617980).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T
Am J Hematol 2024 Apr;99(4):697-718. Epub 2024 Jan 25 doi: 10.1002/ajh.27216. PMID: 38269572
Tefferi A, Barbui T
Am J Hematol 2023 Sep;98(9):1465-1487. Epub 2023 Jun 26 doi: 10.1002/ajh.27002. PMID: 37357958
Tefferi A
Am J Hematol 2023 May;98(5):801-821. Epub 2023 Feb 6 doi: 10.1002/ajh.26857. PMID: 36680511

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Gangat N, Szuber N, Tefferi A
Am J Hematol 2023 Jun;98(6):965-981. Epub 2023 Apr 3 doi: 10.1002/ajh.26920. PMID: 36966432
Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T
Leukemia 2021 Dec;35(12):3339-3351. Epub 2021 Sep 3 doi: 10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3. PMID: 34480106Free PMC Article
Fox S, Griffin L, Robinson Harris D
Am Fam Physician 2021 Jun 1;103(11):680-687. PMID: 34060791
Marwan AI, Zaretsky M, Feltis B
Semin Pediatr Surg 2019 Aug;28(4):150825. Epub 2019 Jul 18 doi: 10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2019.07.008. PMID: 31451170
Parnes A, Ravi A
Prim Care 2016 Dec;43(4):589-605. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2016.07.011. PMID: 27866579

Diagnosis

Noumani I, Harrison CN, McMullin MF
Int J Lab Hematol 2024 May;46 Suppl 1:55-62. Epub 2024 May 2 doi: 10.1111/ijlh.14298. PMID: 38695361
Lakra R, Grewal US, Beedupalli K
Am J Ther 2024 Mar-Apr 01;31(2):e201-e203. Epub 2023 Mar 7 doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000001606. PMID: 36989234
Babakhanlou R, Verstovsek S, Pemmaraju N, Rojas-Hernandez CM
Expert Rev Hematol 2023 Apr;16(4):245-251. Epub 2023 Mar 23 doi: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2192475. PMID: 36927204
Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T
Leukemia 2021 Dec;35(12):3339-3351. Epub 2021 Sep 3 doi: 10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3. PMID: 34480106Free PMC Article
Parnes A, Ravi A
Prim Care 2016 Dec;43(4):589-605. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2016.07.011. PMID: 27866579

Therapy

Harrison CN, Nangalia J, Boucher R, Jackson A, Yap C, O'Sullivan J, Fox S, Ailts I, Dueck AC, Geyer HL, Mesa RA, Dunn WG, Nadezhdin E, Curto-Garcia N, Green A, Wilkins B, Coppell J, Laurie J, Garg M, Ewing J, Knapper S, Crowe J, Chen F, Koutsavlis I, Godfrey A, Arami S, Drummond M, Byrne J, Clark F, Mead-Harvey C, Baxter EJ, McMullin MF, Mead AJ
J Clin Oncol 2023 Jul 1;41(19):3534-3544. Epub 2023 May 1 doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01935. PMID: 37126762Free PMC Article
Tefferi A
Am J Hematol 2023 May;98(5):801-821. Epub 2023 Feb 6 doi: 10.1002/ajh.26857. PMID: 36680511
Gisslinger H, Klade C, Georgiev P, Krochmalczyk D, Gercheva-Kyuchukova L, Egyed M, Rossiev V, Dulicek P, Illes A, Pylypenko H, Sivcheva L, Mayer J, Yablokova V, Krejcy K, Grohmann-Izay B, Hasselbalch HC, Kralovics R, Kiladjian JJ; PROUD-PV Study Group
Lancet Haematol 2020 Mar;7(3):e196-e208. Epub 2020 Jan 31 doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(19)30236-4. PMID: 32014125
Blair HA
Drugs 2019 Oct;79(15):1719-1725. doi: 10.1007/s40265-019-01205-x. PMID: 31571162
Bircher AJ
Dermatologica 1990;181(2):83-7. doi: 10.1159/000247891. PMID: 2242790

Prognosis

Tefferi A
Am J Hematol 2021 Jan;96(1):145-162. Epub 2020 Dec 2 doi: 10.1002/ajh.26050. PMID: 33197049
Fogarty M, Osborn DA, Askie L, Seidler AL, Hunter K, Lui K, Simes J, Tarnow-Mordi W
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Jan;218(1):1-18. Epub 2017 Oct 30 doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.10.231. PMID: 29097178
Stein BL, Verstovsek S
Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2017 Dec;12(6):507-509. doi: 10.1007/s11899-017-0423-9. PMID: 29032412
Moulard O, Mehta J, Fryzek J, Olivares R, Iqbal U, Mesa RA
Eur J Haematol 2014 Apr;92(4):289-97. Epub 2014 Feb 3 doi: 10.1111/ejh.12256. PMID: 24372927
Passamonti F, Maffioli M, Merli M, Ferrario A, Caramazza D
Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2012 Oct;26(5):1101-16. Epub 2012 Aug 28 doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2012.07.009. PMID: 23009940

Clinical prediction guides

Noumani I, Harrison CN, McMullin MF
Int J Lab Hematol 2024 May;46 Suppl 1:55-62. Epub 2024 May 2 doi: 10.1111/ijlh.14298. PMID: 38695361
Tefferi A
Am J Hematol 2023 May;98(5):801-821. Epub 2023 Feb 6 doi: 10.1002/ajh.26857. PMID: 36680511
Tefferi A
Am J Hematol 2021 Jan;96(1):145-162. Epub 2020 Dec 2 doi: 10.1002/ajh.26050. PMID: 33197049
Tefferi A, Guglielmelli P, Lasho TL, Coltro G, Finke CM, Loscocco GG, Sordi B, Szuber N, Rotunno G, Pacilli A, Hanson CA, Ketterling RP, Pardanani A, Gangat N, Vannucchi AM
Br J Haematol 2020 Apr;189(2):291-302. Epub 2020 Jan 16 doi: 10.1111/bjh.16380. PMID: 31945802
Özlük Y, Kılıçaslan I
Turk Patoloji Derg 2015;31 Suppl 1:155-71. doi: 10.5146/tjpath.2015.01322. PMID: 26177325

Recent systematic reviews

Appeldoorn TYJ, Munnink THO, Morsink LM, Hooge MNL, Touw DJ
Clin Pharmacokinet 2023 Apr;62(4):559-571. Epub 2023 Mar 31 doi: 10.1007/s40262-023-01225-7. PMID: 37000342Free PMC Article
Twitchell DK, Pastuszak AW, Khera M
Sex Med Rev 2021 Jan;9(1):149-159. Epub 2020 Dec 9 doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.09.004. PMID: 33309270
Masciulli A, Ferrari A, Carobbio A, Ghirardi A, Barbui T
Blood Adv 2020 Jan 28;4(2):380-386. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001158. PMID: 31985808Free PMC Article
Fogarty M, Osborn DA, Askie L, Seidler AL, Hunter K, Lui K, Simes J, Tarnow-Mordi W
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Jan;218(1):1-18. Epub 2017 Oct 30 doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.10.231. PMID: 29097178
Zavanone C, Panebianco M, Yger M, Borden A, Restivo D, Angelini C, Pavone A, Grimod G, Rosso C, Dupont S
Rev Neurol (Paris) 2017 Apr;173(4):189-193. Epub 2016 Dec 27 doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2016.11.004. PMID: 28038774

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.
    • Bookshelf
      See practice and clinical guidelines in NCBI Bookshelf. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...