Is Essential Thrombocythemia a blood disease or cancer?

Hi @chimo I don’t usually chime in on ET threads because it’s not an area of expertise for me, but I did find this Cleveland clinic article which I thought was helpful and addresses your questions quite directly and succinctly.
I’m curious though about when you were diagnosed, what did your physician say? Do you have a hematologist/oncologist or who is providing your care?
Patty
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24031-essential-thrombocythemia

Without success, I've been looking for a great recent comment from nohrt4me. As I recall, Jean pointed out that while some doctors say ET has no symptoms, others admit that it does.

And that some doctors call ET a "disorder" and some call it a "cancer."

Because of the proto-oncogene MPL, my body is producing abnormal cells. I must take a chemo drug as long as I live. So to me there's no ambiguity: I have cancer.

If calling ET a disorder rather than a cancer makes anyone feel more positive about their lives, wonderful!

Unfortunately, though, this is not just a word game. That ET and other MPNs were long classified as disorders, not cancers, is why so few research dollars have been devoted to them.

And if MPNs are just disorders, then hey! Insurance companies can refuse to pay for treatment. This is a tragic problem in some countries.

@janemc I was diagnosed in 1993 with ET. At the time it was designated a “disorder”. Not sure what year it became classified a “cancer.” I never had symptoms until I progressed to MF one year ago. Took HU for approximately 3 years. Counts stable and decided to take myself off that drug when my doctor retired. For some reason, I remained stable and healthy—-maybe it was a mental thing! Perfectly healthy until 2025.

@janemc I was diagnosed in 1993 with ET. At the time it was designated a “disorder”. Not sure what year it became classified a “cancer.” I never had symptoms until I progressed to MF one year ago. Took HU for approximately 3 years. Counts stable and decided to take myself off that drug when my doctor retired. For some reason, I remained stable and healthy—-maybe it was a mental thing! Perfectly healthy until 2025.

I owe you all a feedback about the outcome of my last appointment with a well known specialist in Mpn. I am diagnosed with Et Jak 2 in Dezember 2025 without having a bone narrow biopsy. Still then I am taking HU 724 mg per day. The specialist recommended a bone marrow biopsy and emphasized that interferon would be his favorite option. Now we are thinking how to get access to this drug 😅.

@birgitr can I ask what specialist you went to please ? I’m looking for more answers to all my questions thank you.