Clinical haematology · UKMLA & AKT
Polycythaemia vera
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise polycythaemia vera — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm - overproduction of red cells (and often WBCs and platelets)
- JAK2 V617F mutation present in >95% - causes constitutive EPO-receptor signalling → EPO-independent erythropoiesis
- Serum EPO is low or suppressed (distinguishes PV from secondary erythrocytosis where EPO is raised)
- Median age at diagnosis ~60 years; slightly more common in men
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