Blood test results for Mr. Thanh at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi indicated an unusually high platelet count of approximately 763 G/L, significantly above the normal range of 150-450 G/L. Further specialized tests, including bone marrow aspirate, bone marrow biopsy, and gene mutation analysis, confirmed a positive JAK2 gene mutation.

Doctor Nguyen Thien Lu, from the General Internal Medicine department, diagnosed Mr. Thanh with essential thrombocythemia. This condition is a type of chronic blood cancer, characterized by excessive platelet production in the bone marrow, which increases the risk of blood clot formation within blood vessels.

Essential thrombocythemia often progresses silently, with many cases presenting no clear symptoms in the early stages. In later stages, patients may experience headaches, dizziness, numbness and tingling in the limbs, and transient visual disturbances. However, these symptoms are not specific, often leading to misdiagnosis or confusion with other neurological disorders. According to Doctor Lu, when platelet counts are high, the blood becomes thicker, making it prone to forming clots that can block blood vessels. This carries a high risk of complications such as cerebral artery blockage leading to stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and limb artery blockage, which can result in necrosis and amputation of fingers or toes.

Mr. Thanh received personalized treatment involving oral medication to control his platelet count and antiplatelet drugs to reduce the risk of clot formation. After 4 months of treatment, his hematological parameters gradually returned to a safe range, his platelet count stabilized, and his headaches and dizziness resolved.

Doctor Lu re-examines Mr. Thanh after 4 months of treatment. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

According to Doctor Lu, essential thrombocythemia cannot currently be cured completely. However, patients can lead healthy, normal lives for many years with timely treatment, consistent monitoring, and adherence to the prescribed medication regimen.

The doctor advises elderly individuals experiencing persistent headaches, unexplained dizziness, numbness and tingling in the limbs, or visual disturbances to seek medical examination for proper diagnosis. Regular complete blood count tests can aid in the early detection of hematological disorders.

Thanh Ba