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: 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
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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 15 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on polycythemia vera
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polycythemia vera
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