Platelets are crucial blood cells that help with clotting and prevent uncontrolled bleeding. Thrombocytosis occurs when platelet counts abnormally exceed 450,000 cells/mcL. This condition presents in two forms: essential thrombocytosis and secondary thrombocytosis.

Secondary thrombocytosis is not a form of blood cancer. However, essential thrombocytosis falls under myeloproliferative neoplasms, considered a pre-cancerous condition. This occurs when the bone marrow overproduces megakaryocytes, leading to an excess of platelets released into the bloodstream.

Doctor Thanh advises a patient. *Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital*.

Essential thrombocytosis can stem from gene mutations, including JAK2, CALR, and MPL. JAK2 mutations regulate stem cell blood production, CALR creates proteins for gene activity, and MPL mutations carry a potential cancer risk. These mutations drive increased megakaryocyte production in the bone marrow, resulting in an uncontrolled rise in platelet levels.

Essential thrombocytosis is often chronic and progresses slowly. Timely diagnosis and treatment can manage the condition and reduce the risk of it developing into blood cancer.

Treatment for essential thrombocytosis typically focuses on managing symptoms and lowering platelet counts. Physicians may prescribe low-dose aspirin, platelet-reducing medications, or recommend platelet apheresis.

It is advisable to undergo testing to determine if the condition is essential or secondary thrombocytosis, which will inform the appropriate treatment plan.

Maintaining overall health requires regular check-ups, a balanced lifestyle, physical activity, adequate nutrition, sufficient sleep, avoiding smoking, and refraining from substance abuse. For those with a family history of essential thrombocytosis, DNA testing is recommended to detect mutated genes linked to the disease early.

Doctor Nguyen Quoc Thanh

Hematology - Blood Transfusion Unit

Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City