Is Essential Thrombocythemia a blood disease or cancer?

I am 75 and I just started taking Hydrea every other day. I’m new too. I’ve only had 3 capsules so far. I take them at night with lots of water with some food. No side effects so far. Hope you do well!

@lynnebgraham
Thank you for your response. Your question about alternatives to HU has been added. Can you tell me why you are looking for alternatives to HU? And what kind?
Regarding you question whether it is hereditary, what does the 'it' refer to? Can you let me know why this is important to you, so I can refine the question and thus explore a better possible answer?
This is what I do know at this point: Regarding the JAK2 gene mutation, this is NOT hereditary in the sense that you are NOT born with it. I am interested in the JAK2 mutation, because that is what I have and was used to make my diagnosis of having ET. The JAK2 mutation develops later in life for reasons currently not understood. I have confirmed this information with my hemo at my initial visit. I'm personally wondering what's behind or drives the JAK2 mutation and have this in my question bank.
And yes, I will be back with what I learn eventually.

According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and by the opinion of most doctors in the medical community, “Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are types of blood cancers that begin with an abnormal mutation (change) in a stem cell in the bone marrow. The change leads to an overproduction of any combination of white cells, red cells and platelets.”
You can read about them here: https://www.lls.org/myeloproliferative-neoplasms

Essential thrombocythemia-ET, along with Polycythemia Vera (PV), and Myelofibrosis are types of the blood conditions associated with MPN’s. So technically they are considered blood cancers.

I just had a long chat with my hematologist while in for my 6 month followup, having had AML 6 years ago. He knows I mentor for Mayo Connect and sometime we have discussions about different forms of blood cancers and conditions, how they mutate, and potential treatments. We talked about MPN’s this time. The take away is. yes, they are a type of chronic blood cancer by definition. Blood cancer refers to malignancies that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. In ET, a change has occurred where there is an overproduction of platelets.

However, as others in this support group have stated, as did my doctor…
”These are conditions where a person is more likely to die with the disease than from it.”

HU is a type of chemotherapy used to treat MPNs and other forms of cancers. There are also targeted drugs and immunosuppressive medications which may be used to treat ET as well.

Reading through previous posts it looks as though you have been taking HU since last summer. How has it been working for you? Have your platelet levels dropped to normal? Are you experiencing any side effects?

Hello,
My Platelets have now dropped to the 270 and I am now being seen every 3 months. I still suffer from burning feet (if someone knows of a treatment let me know) I am trying to watch the occurrence to determine if it happens after I have wore heals or worked out. I also, now have the darkness in my feet from the Hydrea. However, my least worries. wish there was away to treat the color discoloration.

Just thought I would share an update.. Hope all is well!

Thanks for your response. I am going to check if the skin discolorations is a vein issue. however Dr. did say that HU can cause the change in skin. I just ordered me a treadmill yesterday, I go to the gym about 3 days a week but, it is convenient at home. I asked her will she lower the dosage back to 500 mg she said we will watch and make a determination after she see me in 3 months..
Thanks again!

I just learned that my JAK2 is positive. I spoke with my oncologist before the test results were finished. He said he had talked to the hematologist and it wouldn’t change the diagnosis for the medication and how we move forward.

I do have a question. I was just diagnosed with JAK2 ET. Platelets at 790 and will be starting HU and Baby Aspirin after my bone marrow test. I am considered high risk due to my age and symptoms. I am also going to need BCG or some type of localized chemo for non-muscular invasive bladder cancer soon. Has anyone had any experience with this? Along with my stage 3 kidney failure I am starting to feel just tad overwhelmed :/ Thanks for the tips already provided and I know this is a "left field" ask 🙂

Yes, hydroxyurea is a chemotherapy drug
, but it is also used for other conditions. It is categorized as an antimetabolite, which is a class of drugs that works by interfering with DNA synthesis.
I am on this drug currently and it seems to help with my symptoms. I am a rare case, my numbers are in the 500 but suffer from all the aches that come with ET.
Hydroxyurea has been a God send, I am able to function and work again. I have recently been diagnosed 3 months ago. I will be seeing a specialist, my doctor is suggesting this due to my age being younger than the usual 60 and older group. Prayers and blessings to you!