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Definition

noun

A polycythemia characterized by an increase in blood volume and number of circulating red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, bone marrow hyperplasia, redness of the skin, and enlargement of the spleen, as caused by an abnormality of the bone marrow.

Supplement

Polycythemia rubra vera is a kind of myeloproliferative disease. The bone marrow is producing too many cells too quickly. It may evolve, although rarely, into acute leukemia.

Abbreviation: PRV

Synonyms:

• primary polycythemia
• polycythemia vera (PCV)
• erythremia
• Vaquez-Osler syndrome
• Vaquez's disease
• Osler's disease