Myeloproliferative neoplasms

Myeloproliferative neoplasms overview

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of diseases that affect blood-cell formation. With MPN, a bone marrow problem leads to more blood cells circulating in your bloodstream. 

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center experts offer comprehensive care for MPN, including advanced treatments. Many MPN patients join clinical trials, which are led by world-renowned physicians, so they can get promising therapies that are not available anywhere else.

Bone marrow The soft, spongy material in the center of your bones that produces all your blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

Fred Hutch: A Leader in MPN Treatment

Fred Hutch is recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of MPN. Our experts are also leaders in research who focus on studying these diseases. 
 

Confirming your MPN diagnosis

To check your MPN diagnosis and find out the subtype, your physician will do a complete physical exam and ask about your health history and any symptoms

You may also need to have more blood tests, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (where a small sample is taken and looked at with a microscope) or a cytogenetic analysis (tests for gene abnormalities).
 

Biopsy The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids. Bone marrow The soft, spongy material in the center of your bones that produces all your blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Cytogenetic test The process of analyzing cells in a sample of tissue, blood, bone marrow or amniotic fluid to look for changes in chromosomes, including broken, missing, rearranged or extra chromosomes. The process of analyzing cells in a sample of tissue, blood, bone marrow or amniotic fluid to look for changes in chromosomes, including broken, missing, rearranged or extra chromosomes. Changes in certain chromosomes may be a sign of a genetic disease or condition or some types of cancer. Cytogenetic analysis may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment or find out how well treatment is working. Gene The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein. Symptom A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.
Confirming your MPN diagnosis

Part of diagnosis is finding out exactly which type of MPN you have. We will check this and other details about your disease so we can provide the right treatment for you. 

Your First Appointment

From the first time you come to see us, your MPN team will begin getting to know you and your family. What are your questions? What are your concerns?  

At your first appointment, your hematologist-oncologist will also explain your disease. They will tell you how it’s treated and which tests you need to help plan your individual care. Before you leave, your team makes sure you understand the next steps. 

Care at Fred Hutch

How Does Fred Hutch Approach Treatment?

The safest, most effective and most widely accepted therapies for cancer are known as the “standard of care.” For many patients, these therapies will be a large part of their treatment. At Fred Hutch, we provide all standard therapies for MPN. We know how to choose the right ones for you and how to deliver them to give you the best chance at a full recovery.

Our physicians and researchers are always asking how we can make MPN treatments more effective and reduce side effects as much as possible. This is why we do clinical trials (also called clinical studies). Through these studies, we are able to offer you therapies that aren’t offered everywhere. A therapy that is going through trials today may become the new standard of care tomorrow.

Along with treating your illness, a group of world-class professionals is here to support you. This team includes nurses, dietitians, physical therapists, social workers and psychologists. We also include supportive care services for your physical, mental and emotional well-being.  
 

Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease. Hematologist A physician who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues. Side effects A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some side effects of cancer treatment are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss and mouth sores. Standard care A treatment or other intervention currently being used and considered to be of proven effectiveness based on past studies. Standard care A treatment or other intervention currently being used and considered to be of proven effectiveness based on past studies.

Treatment Plan and Process

You are unique, and your care team will design a treatment plan specifically for — and with — you. 

At Fred Hutch, physicians with knowledge and experience in MPN will plan and provide your care. Our experts offer comprehensive care for MPN, including advanced treatments and new options that are only available through clinical studies.

For some patients, watchful waiting might be the first step. Other patients might start with supportive care, including medicines and transfusions. Options like chemotherapy or a blood or marrow transplant might be recommended, too. We combine treatments to fit your case.

As you go through treatment, your needs may change. Your care team at Fred Hutch is with you each step of the way. For example, we will help you deal with any side effects you have from treatment. We may suggest adding a new therapy that was just approved. Even after your MPN treatment is done, we will keep seeing you to protect your health over the long term.

Chemotherapy Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. It may be given alone or with other treatments. Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, infusion or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or biologic therapy. Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease. Side effects A problem that occurs when treatment affects healthy tissues or organs. Some side effects of cancer treatment are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss and mouth sores. Treatment plan A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A treatment plan may also include information about how much the treatment is likely to cost and about regular follow-up care after treatment ends. Watchful waiting Closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change. During watchful waiting, patients may be given certain tests and exams. Closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change. Watchful waiting is sometimes used in conditions that progress slowly. It is also used when the risks of treatment are greater than the possible benefits. During watchful waiting, patients may be given certain tests and exams. Watchful waiting is sometimes used in prostate cancer. It is a type of expectant management.
“This is a pretty rare set of diseases, so it’s very important to me for patients to understand both their diagnosis and what kinds of symptoms it can cause, and to also be aware of the therapies available to them — now and possibly in the future.”
— Anna Halpern, MD, hematologist-oncologist

For Caregivers

Caregiver icon

When someone close to you is diagnosed with MPN, you might step into the role of caregiver. Being a caregiver can mean many things, from lending a hand with daily living tasks to helping with medical decisions. It can also mean dealing with your own emotions and stress. 

At Fred Hutch, caregivers are valuable members of a patient’s care team. We see every day that your presence and your support make a difference. We know that what your friend or family member is going through affects you, too.

Part of our mission is to help you take care of yourself. Caring for yourself is good for your physical, mental and emotional health. It also helps you give your best to your loved one. Our social workers, Spiritual Health team and Patient and Family Resource Center staff are here to help support you.

Caregiver A person who gives care to people who need help, such as children, older people or patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. A person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves, such as children, older people or patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. Caregivers may be health professionals, family members, friends, social workers or members of the clergy. They may give care at home, in a hospital or in another health care setting.

Other Resources

Care team
Care team

At Fred Hutch, a team of dedicated people surrounds you and your family to give you the highest level of care and support. You are the most important person on your care team. Our patients are at the center of everything we do.

Research
Research

To give you access to the most innovative therapies, Fred Hutch brings together leading researchers and cancer specialists so you can join MPN clinical studies that are not available everywhere.

Hematologic Malignancy Genetics Clinic
Hematologic Malignancy Genetics Clinic

If your physicians decide there is a genetic part of your disease, our experts offer personalized care to test your family members who might have the same genetic risks, monitor their health and reduce their risk. This unique approach, which focuses directly on hematologic malignancies, is found only at Fred Hutch.

Resources
Resources

There are many resources for learning about your disease, as well as organizations that provide support. Health educators at the Fred Hutch Patient and Family Resource Center have put together a list of trusted sources to help you get started.