Diseases Treated With Bone Marrow Transplants -Myeloproliferative Diseases

What is Myeloproliferative Diseases ?

Myeloproliferative diseases (MPDs) are a group of differing disorders that feature the abnormal multiplication of one or more kinds of blood cells, but distinct from acute leukemia. Among these diseases are Myelofibrosis and Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

Bone marrow transplants introduce new bone marrow stem cells into the old marrow, to actually cause healthy blood cells in the same way the unhealthy ones were produced!

Myelofibrosis

Myelofibrosis is also known as myeloid metaplasia , chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis , and primary myelofibrosis. It is a disease of the bone marrow, in which a bone marrow stem cell mutates, then replicates itself, causing the marrow to undergo fibrosis where the marrow is replaced by fibrous connective tissue.

Over time it can cause scarring in the bone marrow, causing serious anemia, fatigue, weakness, and an enlarged liver and spleen as these organs try to absorb the overabundant white blood cells.

The Age Factor

Myelofibrosis can occur at any age, although it mainly develops after age 50.

Many people with myelofibrosis get progressively worse, and some eventually develop a serious form of leukemia. Yet it's also possible to have myelofibrosis and live symptom-free for years.

Treatment for myelofibrosis

Treatment for myelofibrosis, which focuses on relieving symptoms, can involve a variety of options.

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Risk factors

Although the cause of myelofibrosis often isn't known, certain factors are known to increase risk:

Age: Myelofibrosis can affect anyone, but it is primarily seen in patients between the ages of 50 and 80. The condition is usually rare in children with the exception of a form that tends to run in families.
Genetic mutations: Some myelofibrosis patients have a mutation in their JAK2 gene or in their MPL gene.
Exposure to toxins: Myelofibrosis has been linked to exposure to cancer causing chemicals such as thorium dioxide, toluene and benzene.
Exposure to contrast material. Some people who received a X-ray contrast material called Thorotrast in the 1930s and 1940s have since developed myelofibrosis.

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