what is mpn

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of rare blood cancers that start in the bone marrow where blood cells are made. In MPN, the bone marrow makes too many of one or more types of blood cells. The World Health Organization considers a number of diseases to be MPN, but the ones most often classified as MPNs are the Philadelphia chromosome negative MPNs: polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) . Symptoms of MPN depend on which type of MPN a person has, but common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), bruising and bleeding, night sweats, and pain in bones or joints. The cause of MPN is usually a mutation in the genetic material of growing blood cells, and there is no way to prevent or catch it. Treatment for MPN depends on the type of MPN a person has and may include medication, blood transfusions, and stem cell transplants. There are organizations like MPN Voice in the UK that offer information, support, and advice about MPN.