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Dr. Ruben A. Mesa

Dr Mesa's perspective on the symptom burden in MF

“In myelofibrosis (MF), symptoms can gradually develop over time and thus may not be fully appreciated by patients as they have sometimes compensated for them...Educating patients on MF-related symptoms will empower patients to take an active role in managing their disease.”

—Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP

Dr. Ruben A. Mesa

Dr Mesa's perspective on the symptom burden in MF

“In myelofibrosis (MF), symptoms can gradually develop over time and thus may not be fully appreciated by patients as they have sometimes compensated for them...Educating patients on MF-related symptoms will empower patients to take an active role in managing their disease.”

—Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP

MF carries a symptom burden that affects the majority of patients

Image says Prevalence of MF-related symptoms at diagnosis
Image says Prevalence of MF-related symptoms at diagnosis

*Retrospective observational study of symptom burden and splenomegaly in 180 patients with MF; data were collected at the time of diagnosis of MF in patients without splenomegaly (n = 78) or at the time of detection of splenomegaly in patients with splenomegaly (n = 102). In patients with splenomegaly, splenomegaly was most often recorded at the time of diagnosis (median time from MF diagnosis to reported splenomegaly was 1 day).1

MPN symptom burden impacts quality of life

The MPN Landmark Survey was a large-scale survey of 813 patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) (MF, n = 207) and assessed perceptions of overall disease burden, quality of life (QOL), activities of daily living, and work productivity.2 In the Landmark survey:

Image says 81% of patients reported reduced QOL related to their condition; this was true even for patients with low prognostic risk scores and with their lowest symptom severity
Image says 81% of patients reported reduced QOL related to their condition; this was true even for patients with low prognostic risk scores and with their lowest symptom severity

Five most common MF symptoms2†

  • Image says Five most common MF symptoms

    Fatigue

  • Image says Five most common MF symptoms

    Abdominal discomfort

  • Image says Five most common MF symptoms

    Night sweats

  • Image says Five most common MF symptoms

    Bone pain

  • Image says Five most common MF symptoms

    Itching

Survey sponsored by Incyte Corporation.

Symptoms represent only those included in the MPN Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Scores (MPN-SAF TSS) and are not inclusive of all symptoms that were assessed in the MPN Landmark survey.

†Symptoms were reported within the last 12 months prior to survey.2

Starting the conversation about MF symptoms

MF can place a substantial burden on patients. Common symptoms and clinical manifestations include3:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Anemia
  • Leukoerythroblastosis
  • Pruritus4
  • Night Sweats
  • Splenomegaly
  • Increased or decreased white blood cell levels
  • Bone marrow fibrosis
Image of Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP

Spleen and Symptom Brochure

This resource includes key information related to splenomegaly and symptom assessment in patients with MF, as well as insights by Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP.

Other possible clinical presentations of MF are3:

  • Hepatomegaly
  • Lymphadenopathy
  • Pleural effusion
  • Osteosclerosis
  • Periostitis
  • Portal hypertension
  • Ascites
  • Nerve or spinal cord compression
  • Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy
  • Megakaryocytic dysplasia

References: 1. Mitra D, Kaye JA, Piecoro LT, et al. Cancer Med. 2013;2(6):889-898. 2. Mesa R, Miller CB, Thyne M, et al. BMC Cancer. 2016;16:167. doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2208-2 3. Abdel-Wahab OI, Levine RL. Annu Rev Med. 2009;60:233-245. 4. Barosi G. J Clin Oncol. 1999;17(9):2954-2970.