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Chronic Idiopathic Myelofibrosis
Chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis is a disease in which abnormal blood cells and fibers build up inside the bone marrow.
The bone marrow is made of tissues that make blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) and a web of fibers that support the blood-forming tissues. In chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, large numbers of blood stem cells develop into blood cells that do not mature properly (blasts). The web of fibers inside the bone marrow also becomes very thick (like scar tissue) and slows the blood-forming tissue’s ability to make blood cells. This causes the blood-forming tissues to make fewer and fewer blood cells. In order to make up for the low number of blood cells made in the bone marrow, the liver and spleen begin to make the blood cells.
Possible signs of chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis include pain below the ribs on the left side and feeling very tired.
Chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis often does not cause early symptoms. It is sometimes found during a routine blood test. The following symptoms may be caused by chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis or by other conditions. A doctor should be consulted if any of these problems occur:
- Feeling pain or fullness below the ribs on the left side.
- Feeling full sooner than normal when eating.
- Feeling very tired.
- Shortness of breath.
- Easy bruising or bleeding.
- Petechiae (flat, red, pinpoint spots under the skin that are caused by bleeding).
- Fever.
- Night sweats.
- Weight loss.
A special blood test is used to diagnose chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis.
In addition to a complete blood count, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, and cytogenetic analysis, a peripheral blood smear is used to diagnose chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis. A peripheral blood smear is a procedure in which a sample of blood is checked for tear drop-shaped red blood cells, the number and kinds of white blood cells, the number of platelets, and the presence of blast cells.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options for chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis.
Prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:
- The age of the patient.
- The number of abnormal red blood cells and white blood cells.
- The number of blasts in the blood.
- Whether there are certain changes in the chromosomes.
- Whether the patient has symptoms such as fever, night sweats, or weight loss.
WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute
This information is produced and provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National Cancer Institute via the Internet web site at http://cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER
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