Wondering about terms?

• What do blood counts mean?
• What are MPDs?
• What causes MPDs?
• What are the types of MPDs?
• Essential thrombocythaemia
• Myelofibrosis
• Polycythaemia vera
• Wondering about terms?

Blood Film Blood is put on a slide so the cells can be observed using a microscope

Bone marrow Bone marrow is found inside many bones of the body. In children, most bones are involved in the process of blood production, but as the body ages blood production is usually concentrated in the bones of the spine, sternum, rib, pelvis and small parts of the upper arm and leg.

Bone Marrow Aspirate A sample of bone marrow (and sometimes a small ‘core’ of bone) removed using a needle for study using a microscope

Cannula / venflon A small plastic tube inserted into a vein to give drugs, fluids or blood products to a patient

Erythrocytosis An increase in the number of red blood cells in the body

Full Blood Count (FBC) A blood test providing a breakdown of your red and white cells and your platelets.

Granulocytes White cells that fight off infections. When MPD patients have elevated white blood cell levels, treatment with drugs like hydroxycarbamide or interferon can reduce the count

Haematocrit (HCT) Also known as Packed Cell Volume (PCV). A measure of the thickness or viscosity of blood caused by excess red blood cells

Haemoglobin The oxygen-carrying pigment contained within red cells. Haemoglobin carries oxygen and carbon dioxide and contains iron. People with too much haemoglobin are polycythaemic. People with too little are anaemic.

Heparin A form of anticoagulant used to treat or prevent clots and sometimes given in pregnancy

Imatinib (Glivec, STI 571) Designer drug used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia and forms of MPDs. Under trial to treat MF

JAK2 JAK2 is molecule inside our cells that sends growth messages to the cell. Many MPD patients have a mutation or change in JAK2

Leucocytes Another term for white cells or granulocytes

Low Molecular Weight Heparin A form of anticoagulant used to treat or prevent clots and sometimes given in pregnancy

Phlebotomy Removal of blood

Plasma Straw-coloured fluid through which our cells travel

Platelets Platelets are sticky smaller cells that circulate in the blood. Their function is to prevent bleeding when there has been an injury/cut to a blood vessel. When bleeding starts, platelets join together to form a clot which stops the flow of blood.

Polycythaemia An increase in the number of red blood cells in the body

Red Blood Cells (RBCs) Biconcave-shaped discs that contain haemaglobin, which carries oxygen and carbon dioxide to our bodies. Red blood cells survive for 120 days in the blood

Saline drip Salty water occasionally used in the vein to replace the fluid lost while having a venesection. It is widely used for many other purposes and is known as a safe and versatile drug.

Thrombocytosis A high platelet count

Venesection The removal of 450mls of blood from your arm as a treatment for too many red blood cells. The method is the same as that of giving blood

White Blood Cells (WBC) There are five types of white blood cells: lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. These cells are our body’s defence against infection. There are far fewer white cells than red cells in our bodies.