Studies indicate a long-term reduction in life expectancy for patients with ET
Prospective data regarding prognosis in essential thrombocythemia (ET) are limited.1,2 In general, ET is a chronic disease that does not shorten life expectancy in the first decade following diagnosis; however, over longer periods of time, survival may be shortened. Median survival of patients with ET is about 20 years.3
Prognostic variables that are associated with shortened survival in patients with ET include1:
- Age ≥60 years
- Occurrence of any major thrombosis at or after diagnosis
- Diabetes mellitus
- History of arterial thrombosis
- Tobacco use
- Leukocyte count of ≥15 x 109/L at diagnosis
- Hypertension
References: 1. Wolanskyj AP, Schwager SM, McClure RF, Larson DR, Tefferi A. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81(2):159-166. 2. Beer PA, Green AR. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2009:621-628. 3. Barbui T, Barosi G, Birgegard G, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(6):761-770. 4. Abdel-Wahab O, Manshouri T, Patel J, et al. Cancer Res. 2010;70(2):447-452.