polycythemia vera

noun

polycythemia ve·​ra -ˈvir-ə How to pronounce polycythemia vera (audio)
: 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 For example, polycythemia vera causes the body to make too many red blood cells. Elizabeth Millard, Cpt, SELF, 15 Aug. 2024 For example, polycythemia vera occurs when there are too many red blood cells, while essential thrombocythemia can crop up when the body produces too many platelets, which normally help with clotting. Brittany Risher, SELF, 30 July 2024 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polycythemia vera.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, "true polycythemia"

First Known Use

circa 1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polycythemia vera was circa 1925

Dictionary Entries Near polycythemia vera

Cite this Entry

“Polycythemia vera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polycythemia%20vera. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

polycythemia vera

noun
polycythemia ve·​ra -ˈvir-ə How to pronounce polycythemia vera (audio)
: 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

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