My hematologist said it's in the MPN cancer family but it doesn't work like a cancer. In my own research I've found that some call it a blood cancer & some call it a blood disorder. My doctor calls it a disorder. She told me yesterday when she called with my biopsy results that life expectancy is normal & long but it's something that will have to be monitored for the rest of my life. I'm assuming it applies as long as a person doesn't have any other health issues. I'm considered low risk for every thing & I'm 47 with no previous issues. I only have the JAK2 mutation. The rest of my genes are normal. Right now my treatment plan is only low dose Aspirin. Hope that helps.