Studies indicate a long-term reduction in life expectancy for patients with ET
Prospective data regarding prognosis in 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.1 Median survival of patients with ET is about 20 years.3
In some patients, ET may transform into myelofibrosis or secondary acute myelogenous leukemia4,5
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 × 109/L at diagnosis
Hypertension
ET=essential thrombocythemia.
References: 1. Wolanskyj AP, Schwager SM, McClure RF, Larson DR, Tefferi A. Essential thrombocythemia beyond the first decade: life expectancy, long-term complication rates, and prognostic factors. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81(2):159-166. 2. Beer PA, Green AR. Pathogenesis and management of essential thrombocythemia. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2009:621-628. 3. Barbui T, Barosi G, Birgegard G, et al. Philadelphia-negative classical myeloproliferative neoplasms: critical concepts and management recommendations from European LeukemiaNet. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(6):761-770. 4. Abdel-Wahab O, Manshouri T, Patel J, et al. Genetic analysis of transforming events that convert chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms to leukemias. Cancer Res. 2010;70(2):447-452. 5. Verstovsek S. Therapeutic potential of Janus-activated kinase-2 inhibitors for the management of myelofibrosis. Clin Cancer Res. 2010;16(7):1988-1996.