Options in the management of essential thrombocythaemia.

Abstract

Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is an acquired myeloproliferative disease (MPD) characterized by an elevated platelet count and an excessive proliferation of megakaryopoiesis in the bone marrow. As there are no curative options for ET, current treatment strategies aim to reduce the risks of disease-related complications including thrombosis and haemorrhages (1, 2). The benefits of treatment must be carefully considered against the risks of drug-related toxicity and disease transformation (1, 2). The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of platelet counts and other risk factors for developing an optimal treatment plan for each individual patient.