polycythemia vera

noun

polycythemia ve·​ra -ˈvir-ə 

: polycythemia of unknown cause that is marked by increase in total blood volume and accompanied by nosebleed, distension of the circulatory vessels, and enlargement of the spleen

called also erythremia

Examples of polycythemia vera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those who worked or lived at Camp Lejeune over the study period had at least a 20% higher risk of all myeloid cancers, including polycythemia vera, certain kinds of lung cancer and female ductal breast cancer. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024

In polycythemia vera, the bone marrow makes too much red blood cells. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 11 Nov. 2021

Several years ago, Bob can’t remember when, Liz was diagnosed with polycythemia vera, a rare disease in which the body makes too many blood cells. —Anne Saker, The Enquirer, 14 Apr. 2021

Her family said the cause was polycythemia vera, a rare blood cancer that had been diagnosed 35 years ago. —Richard Sandomir, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2020

Pamela gave birth to a daughter, Vivienne, in February, and George was able to meet her granddaughter shortly before being hospitalized with complications stemming from a blood disorder, polycythemia vera. —Brian Stelter, CNN, 16 May 2020

Called fedratinib, the drug treats the bone marrow cancers polycythemia vera and myleofibrosis. —U-T News Services, sandiegouniontribune.com, 8 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, "true polycythemia"

First Known Use

circa 1925, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

polycythemia vera

noun

polycythemia ve·​ra -ˈvir-ə 

: chronic polycythemia that is a myeloproliferative disorder of unknown cause characterized by an increase in total blood volume and viscosity and typically accompanied by nosebleed, headache, dizziness, weakness, itchy skin, reddish complexion, distension of the circulatory vessels, and enlargement of the spleen

called also erythremia, erythrocythemia, Vaquez's disease