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"   Question I was diagnosed as having essential/primary thrombocythaemia three years ago and wasn&amp;#039;t told a lot about it.  Having recently purchased a PC I thought I would search the net for more information about it.  The only information I can find is on cancer.net. Is my condition a form of cancer?   Answer Essential thrombocythaemia is not a cancer. It is defined as an increase in the number of platelets, a type of blood cell that is involved in clotting.  The condition is due to an increase or overproduction of platelets by the bone marrow, although the underlying cause is unknown. It is rare, affecting around one in 100,000 people. Although the condition itself is not a cancer, an increase in the number of platelets in the blood is a feature associated with other blood disorders, which probably explains the results of your information search.  Generally, having a raised number of platelets increases the risk of bleeding and/or the formation of blood clots (thrombosis).  The outcome for sufferers is variable, ranging from prolonged periods without complications in some people, to complications related to haemorrhage and thrombosis in others. Unfortunately there is currently no specific treatment, so therapeutic support is aimed at controlling bleeding or thrombotic episodes.  Chemotherapy has been shown to benefit a proportion of patients with the condition. I hope that this has been of some use to you. Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team  Other Qs &amp;amp;amp; As Barrett&amp;#039;s oesophagus Blood in my sperm Can I be a bone marrow donor? Can leukaemia be passed on? Can pregnancy cause cancer? Cancer confusion Dizzy spells in an 88 year old Does hair dye cause cancer? Does my biopsy mean I have cancer? Hodgkin\u2019s disease while pregnant How can I donate my placenta for cancer research? I have a tumour but want to get pregnant I have multiple endocrine neoplasia I want to get fit after having had cancer I&amp;#039;m afraid to go to hospital for a check-up I&amp;#039;m not happy with my nylon wig Is this cough a sign of cancer? Lymphatic leukaemia My son has a high level of prolactin My tumour is giving me high prolactin levels Pre-cancerous growth on the opening of the womb Rectal spasms Tell me about the CA125 blood test Two types of cancer Underarm lumps What are lucencies? What does this type of melanoma mean? What is a teratoma? What is a yolk sac tumour? What is an astrocytoma? What is Bowen&amp;#039;s disease? What is Goodpasture&amp;#039;s syndrome? What is Mantel cell lymphoma? Where can I learn more about cancer? Who can my sister talk to about having bladder cancer? Why haven&amp;#039;t the doctors told us about new cures? Why is pneumonia called &amp;#039;the old man&amp;#039;s friend&amp;#039;? Will a lipoma become cancerous? Will I ever have children after treatment for Hodgkin&amp;#039;s disease? Will I get Hodgkin&amp;#039;s disease again? Will tamoxifen affect my liver? Worry over family history of thyroid disease  Last updated 02.11.2011 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/cancer/a10391/is-essential-thrombocythaemia-a-type-of-cancer/>