MPN: Survival and Outlook
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of rare blood cancers that affect the bone marrow leading to abnormal cell growth that can lead to an increase in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets in the blood above the normal levels.
- The survival rate of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms between the years 2010-2016 was 85% which bodes really well when compared to the average survival rate of healthy people of the same age and gender characteristics.
- Living with myeloproliferative neoplasms can be very challenging. Fortunately, there are many ways patients can improve their quality of life including seeking support, focusing on mental health, and knowing more about the disease.
After including myeloproliferative neoplasms in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system for tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues that was published in September 2017, there have been an organized consensus and a reference guideline when it comes to managing MPN cancer that has helped many doctors in their everyday clinical practice.
Read MoreUnderstanding Myeloproliferative Neoplasms MPNs Blood Cancer
There are three major subtypes of myeloproliferative neoplasms that are characterized these include the following:- Polycythemia vera (PV) affecting red blood cells and increasing their number. Red blood cells are the cells that carry oxygen among other vital functions for the body.
- Essential thrombocytopenia (ET) affecting platelets and increasing their number. Platelets are the cells that function in clotting and controlling bleeding.
- Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) causing abnormalities in various white blood cell types that present with increased production of these cells in the early stages but then proceed to decrease significantly as a result of fibrotic tissue forming in the bone marrow preventing cells production. This is considered the most aggressive type of myeloproliferative neoplasms.
- Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), also known as chronic myelogenous leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the production of granulocytes (a kind of white blood cell) from the bone marrow.
- Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a type of clonal disorder producing abnormal neutrophils (a type of white blood cells).
- Chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) is a type of clonal disorder producing abnormal eosinophils (a type of white blood cells).
The signs and symptoms of each of these MPN cancer subtypes will differ according to the type of cell affected (whether red blood cell, white blood cell, or platelets) and the patient's overall health, medical history, and age. Dr. Adrienne Philips, a Hematologist/Medical Oncologist, at Weill-Cornell Medicine, says "symptoms that indicate an MPN can vary depending on when a patient is first diagnosed".. Patients generally experience these conditions:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Weakness
- Dizziness and imbalance
- Pruritis itching
- Drenching night sweats
- Hypertension high blood pressure
MPN Cancer Survival Rate
According to reports from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the survival rate of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms between the years 2010-2016 was 85% which bodes really well when compared to the average survival rate of healthy people of the same age and gender characteristics. However, they note that this percentage is reduced significantly for patients who have had myeloproliferative neoplasms for more than 25 years where the expected survival rate dramatically drops to 20% which is unfavorable.
Treatment of MPN Cancer
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) blood cancer treatment guidelines are aimed at managing symptoms of the disease. Although there hasn't been any MPN cure as of yet, there are various treatment options that aim to alleviate the symptoms and control the disease. Dr. Phillips adds "MPNs is kind of the overreaching title of these diseases and the therapy really depends on what the condition specifically is". Many treatment options are available, and they include the following:
Watchful waiting. this is usually prescribed when the patient doesn't exhibit any symptoms. So, they don't receive any treatment but are closely monitored for any changes.
Surgery. an operation like 'splenectomy: the removal of the spleen can be done to alleviate symptoms of MPN.
Chemotherapy. Chemical drugs are given to stop the growth of abnormal MPN cells. However, they can also affect surrounding healthy cells.
Radiation therapy. Subjecting high-energy radiation onto MPN or the spleen in some cases.
Immunotherapy. Using certain medications to boost the body's ability to fight off MPN (ex. Interferon alpha).
Targeted therapy. a type of medication that functions in inhibiting the growth of MPN cells. They can recognize specific features on these cells and stop their growth (they're more specific than chemotherapeutic drugs) (ex. JAK inhibitors).
Stem cell transplant. a type of procedure that introduces stem cells (immature cells that can form blood cells like in the bone marrow) into the body of an MPN patient who has previously taken chemotherapy. Stem cell transplantation is the closest thing we have to a cure for MPN cancers, but they carry a lot of risks and aren't always suitable for all patients.
These are the general treatment options available for MPN cancers, but it's important to discuss the risks and benefits of each option with your doctor as it can differ from patient to patient. Moreover, there is the option to enroll in a clinical trial for MPN medications. You can consult your doctor about this or find more information through the SurvivorNet Clinical trial Finder Tool.
Aside from clinical trials and treatment options, there are strategies for survivorship and living with myeloproliferative neoplasms that can help patients adapt to their diagnosis and live their best life.
How Can You Live with Myeloproliferative Disorder?
Living with an MPN blood cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially carrying the burden of leukemic transformation (when an MPN patient proceeds to develop acute myeloid leukemia), which is more serious, and aggressive with a much worse prognosis. Thus, here are some tips that we recommend here at SurvivorNet to make it easier to live with myeloproliferative neoplasms, these include the following:
- Take time to accept your diagnosis and know that taking down time or feeling sad about it will not make you feel better. Be kind to yourself.
- Practice doing what you love, maybe it's hobbies like reading, writing, sports, watching a movie, going out with friends, etc., Practicing a normal routine can make you feel more aligned and in control.
- Try meditation and relaxation techniques, they can lift your mood and destress you.
- Take care of your mental health by seeking out council, or support from friends and family.
- Know more information about myeloproliferative cancers so that you can take more informed decisions instead of complying without background information.
- Read patients' stories, they can be very inspiring and enlightening to see what others in your shoes did that made them feel better and produced better outcomes.
- Stay hopeful that even though there hasn't been any cure for MPN blood cancers yet, there are a lot of treatment options available that can alleviate your symptoms. Additionally, there are a lot of extensive efforts being put right now into clinical trials and research investigations to obtain a cure that would be safe and effective.
Moreover, patients with MPN need to consult their doctor about the appropriate measures to take in the case of external threats that may affect their health and make them more susceptible to a worse outcome, like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Catriona Jamieson, of the UC San Diego Health Moores Cancer Center, explains "Patients with MPNs are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19, and there is a slightly higher risk of contracting the virus and also having complications from the virus, just because in MPNs the immune system doesn't work as well"
The Bottom Line
Myeloproliferative neoplasmshave recently been adopted under the national cancer guidelines and although they're classified as blood cancers, patients have the opportunity for excellent treatment response and better outcomes through early intervention.
Many treatment options and strategies are available for relieving the symptoms of the disease and managing your physical and mental health. Moreover, if you've been diagnosed with MPN blood cancer, you should follow up regularly with your doctor to stay ahead of MPN disease complications like advancing to secondary myelofibrosis or secondary acute myeloid leukemia.
Questions to Ask your Doctor
- What type of myeloproliferative neoplasm do I have?
- What tests need to be performed to diagnose my condition?
- What treatment options are available for me?
- How do I know if my treatment is working?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
