Essential Thrombocythemia
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a clonal multipotent hematopoietic stem cell proliferative disorder characterized predominantly by megakaryocytic proliferation. It is marked by excessive proliferation of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow and a significantly increased platelet count in the peripheral blood, often accompanied by platelet dysfunction.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Dizziness, headache, a dusky-red complexion, or masses beneath the ribs; pain associated with impeded circulation; swelling and stasis in the limbs; or deviation of the mouth and eyes, hemiplegia, a purplish, dusky complexion, bluish-purple lips and nails, a dusky-purple tongue with petechiae or ecchymoses, and a wiry, choppy pulse.
In Plain Language:
- You may feel dizzy.
- You may have a headache.
- Your complexion may look dusky and reddish.
- You may be able to feel lump-like masses beneath the ribs on either side.
- You may experience pain that feels as though circulation is obstructed.
- Your limbs may become swollen and congested.
- The corners of your mouth and your eyes may appear uneven or deviated.
- Movement on one side of your body may be impaired, or you may experience hemiplegia.
- Your complexion may look purplish and dusky.
- Your lips and nails may appear bluish-purple.
- Your tongue may look dusky purple, with purple spots or patches of stasis.
- Your pulse may feel tense and sluggish.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Invigorate blood and resolve stasis; regulate qi and promote its movement.
In Plain Language:
- May help promote blood flow and resolve stasis, easing signs such as bruising, pain, or menstrual irregularities.
- May help regulate the flow of qi and address stagnation, easing discomfort such as fullness in the chest and flanks, abdominal distension or pain, or poor appetite.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, fatigue and weakness, chest oppression and palpitations, numbness in the hands and feet, swelling and ulceration of the limbs, deviation of the mouth and eyes, hemiplegia, a pale tongue with petechiae or ecchymoses, a thin white coating, and a weak, deficient pulse or a deep, thready, choppy pulse.
In Plain Language:
- You may feel short of breath and not feel like talking much.
- You may feel tired and weak, with little energy for activities.
- You may experience chest tightness, a racing heart, or palpitations.
- Your hands and feet may feel numb or less responsive.
- Your limbs may become swollen and develop ulcers.
- The corners of your mouth and your eyes may appear deviated.
- Movement on one side of your body may be impaired.
- Your tongue may look pale.
- Spots or patches of stasis may be visible on your tongue.
- Your tongue coating may be thin and white.
- Your pulse may feel weak and lacking in strength, or deep, thready, and sluggish when pressed.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Tonify qi to control the blood; invigorate blood and resolve stasis.
In Plain Language:
- May help strengthen qi and support the containment of blood, easing signs such as fatigue, shortness of breath, pallor, or increased bleeding.
- May help promote blood flow and resolve stasis, easing signs such as bruising, pain, or menstrual irregularities.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Weakness and soreness of the lower back and knees, pain associated with impeded circulation, swelling and stasis in the limbs, or deviation of the mouth and eyes, hemiplegia, or masses beneath the ribs; a dark-red or bright-red tongue with petechiae or ecchymoses, scant coating, and a thready, choppy, rapid pulse or a deep, thready pulse.
In Plain Language:
- Your lower back and knees may feel sore and weak, with greater fatigue or weakness after activity.
- You may experience pain that feels as though a pathway is blocked, making it difficult to move or bend.
- Your limbs may feel swollen and heavy, with a sense of congestion and fullness.
- The corners of your mouth and your eyes may appear deviated, and movement on one side of your body may be impaired.
- You may be able to feel a lump beneath the ribs on either side, with a sense of resistance when pressed.
- Your tongue may look dark red or bright red, with purple spots or patches of stasis.
- Your tongue coating may be scant, leaving the tongue surface relatively bare.
- Your pulse may feel thready and choppy, thready and rapid, or deep and thready when pressed.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Tonify the kidneys and resolve blood stasis.
In Plain Language:
- May help support kidney qi, easing discomfort such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, sensitivity to cold with cold limbs, or low energy.
- May help resolve stasis, easing signs such as pain, bruising, or menstrual irregularities.
| Related Formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
References
- Zhang Zhinan, Hao Yushu, Zhao Yongqiang, et al. Hematology [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2011: 933–947.
- James C，Ugo V，Le Couedic JP，et al. A unique clonal JAK2 mutation leading to constitutive signaling causes polycythemia vera[J]. Nature，2005，434：1144-1148.
- Tefferi A，Thiele J，Orazi A，et al. Proposals and rationale for revision of the World Health Orgnization diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis: recommendations from an ad hoc international expert panel[J]. Blood，2007，110：1092-1097.
- Jabbour E，Kantarjian H，Cortes J，et al. PEGIFN-alpha-2b therapy in BCR-ABL-negative myeloproliferative disorders: final result of a phase 2 study[J]. Cancer，2007，110：2012-2018.
- Vannucchi AM，Antonioli E，Guglielmelli P，et al. Clinical Correlates of JAK2V617F presence or allele burden in myeloproliferative neoplasms: a critical reappraisal[J]. Leukemia，2008：1299-1307.
- Tefferi A，Barosi G，Mesa RA，et al. International Working Group (IWG) consensus criteria for treatment response in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia, for the IWG for Myelofibrosis Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT)[J]. Blood，2006，108：1497-1503.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China: Clinical Medication Guide—Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Beijing: China Medical Science Press, 2011.