Essential thrombocytosis medical therapy

Medical therapy
Not all patients will require treatment at presentation. In those who are at increased risk of thrombosis or bleeding (older age, prior history of bleeding or thrombosis, or very high platelet count), reduction of the platelet count to the normal range can be achieved using hydroxyurea (also known as hydroxycarbamide), interferon-α or anagrelide. Low-dose aspirin is widely used to reduce the risk of thrombosis, but there may be an increased risk of bleeding if aspirin is initiated whilst the platelet count is very high.

The PT1 study compared hydroxyurea in combination with aspirin to anagrelide in combination with Aspirin as initial therapy for essential thrombocytosis. Hydroxyurea was superior, with lower risk of arterial thrombosis, lower risk of severe bleeding and lower risk of transformation to myelofibrosis (although the rate of venous thrombosis was higher with hydroxycarbamide than with anagrelide).

In rare cases where patients have life-threatening complications, the platelet count can be reduced rapidly using platelet apheresis (a procedure that removes platelets from the blood directly).

Special care related to pregnancy
Hydroxyrea and anagrelide are counter-indicated during pregnancy and nursing. There is current debate as to the safety of interferon during pregnancy and nursing. Essential thrombocytosis can be linked with increased risk of spontaeous abortion or miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy. Throughout pregnancy, close monitoring of the mother for thrombosis and placenta is recommended to ensure blood clots are caught. Post partum, often daily injections of low dose low molecular weight heparin (e.g. enoxaparin) are prescribed for several weeks as this is a period where the mother is at higher risk of developing a blood clot.