Ronald Hoffman, MD, Director of the Myeloproliferative Diseases Program at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, describes the complexities in diagnosing polycythemia vera.
Polycythemia vera is a rare blood disorder characterized by increased concentration of blood cells. Most cases of polycythemia vera are acquired that afflict older persons, but it is associated with mutations in various genes, including the JAK2 gene.
Persons with polycythemia vera often present with a variety of symptoms. The criteria for diagnosis include an increased hemacrit and specific gene mutations but other factors may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis, as Dr. Hoffman explains in this video.
To learn more about polycythemia vera and other rare hematologic conditions, click here.
