ET is Chronic Leukemia?🤔

[Alexa445]

Hi guys!Im in some groups on facebook about ET and im having some misunderstandings,some of the people there says that ET is a Chronic Leukemia,which i believe and i read that is not and is completely wrong information,Could you tell me from your knowledge,am i crazy or they are wrong?Thank you and i would appreciate.Hope everybody is well here🥰

[BeHealthy1986]

Hi, ET is a type of Leukemia. Please check this page: mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Under Types of leukemia - Other types, MPN (myeloproliferative disorders) is listed there. But ET is not that kind of leukemia as normal people think.

[Jenny_F in reply to BeHealthy1986]

It seems like there is a lack of clarity within the medical publications. When I was first treated the consultants would not admit to me that ER was a type of cancer. When I eventually asked to be referred to Guys I felt a difference immediately and was getting the information I needed. I have heard from multiple sources that MPNs can lead to leukaemia. My understanding though is that it isn’t leukaemia in itself. My grandad had Myeloma, which is also a blood cancer and bone marrow based but its not related to MPNs or leukaemia either.

[IrishHiker]

google.com/amp/s/amp.cancer... you read the above link you will see there are four types of leukemia. ET is NOT one of them. Now you CAN convert over to leukemia and this happens RARELY.

The main thing to keep in mind is your blood cell counts (CBC) indicate your disease or MPN.

Leukemia = white blood cells elevated

ET = platelets elevated

Polycythemia Vera = red blood cells elevated

Because of the nature of the above three MPN’s the bone marrow (for various reasons) produces excessive cells which are released in your blood stream that are immature and hence do not function as normal blood cells do.

Over time, the bone marrow itself becomes “exhausted” basically from cranking out so many more cells than it normally would. This state of “exhaustion” is what can cause your bone marrow to become fibrotic or “myelofibrosis”.

Also Over time, ET may also change over to other MPN diseases see link below:

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

Hope this helps.

[Alexa445 in reply to IrishHiker]

Is exactly what i read also,they are 2 different things,but some people keep pushing it that ET is chronic leukemia.

[IrishHiker in reply to Alexa445]

It truly can be confusing. The link that “Be Healthy 1986” shared is from a good source and it also listed ET as a form of leukemia. The way that I figure it I have had ET over 22 years (maybe longer since I had a blood clot in 2973 but was not officially diagnosed until 2000). It really is a chronic cancer and as far as cancers go it is slower changing/growing. The chances of it morphing into a faster growing form are small (relatively speaking) so I try just living each day to the fullest and also try not to let ET rule my life. I go with the flow and respect my body’s need to rest when needed. Overall I can say ET is a very small part of my life.Stay positive and do something fun today😊

[IrishHiker in reply to IrishHiker]

2973 (I must have gone through a wormhole huh!!!😁). 1973 was what I meant.

[Bazzak in reply to IrishHiker]

Very well said , thank you

[Tertia3 in reply to Bazzak]

Hello, nice to see a familiar old face! Hope you are OK. I'm still suffering withdrawal symptoms from the PWDSI site! I hope it comes back soon.All the Best,

Caroline

[Bazzak in reply to Tertia3]

Yes Caroline, I miss it too, as you say hopefully it will be back soon. I went for a walk yesterday and came across 100 life size Elephant models near the Saatchi gallery in Kings Road, photo and information below if your interested 🙂 Hope you are well and safe xx

ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2021/0...

😘

[Tertia3 in reply to Bazzak]

Thanks so much, Bazzak, for such lovely photos and the info. Just imagine coming across a heard of elephants in the Kings Road area! I remember going there in the "Swinging Sixties " when men wore capes and women had feather boas. Those were the days! (Queue for a song)

[Bazzak in reply to Tertia3]

🤣🤣😘

[CalrType1 in reply to Alexa445]

ET is not Leukemia. Years ago some described ET as pre-leukemia. Now it is true ET, as other MPNs, can progress to Leukemia. I have ET and know I have a 1% to 5% chance of my ET progressing to Leukemia in the next 10+ years. GL.

[Wyebird]

I believe it is. I also thing Macmillan class it as chronic leukaemia too.

[hunter5582]

ET and the MPNs can very broadly be lumped together with the Leukemias in that they are all blood cancers that impact the production of blood cells. Leukocytosis can be a function of MPNs too. People with ET/PV are at risk for progression into Acute Myeloid Leukemia, usually through MF. (Note people with PV are at higher risk than ET).

On the whole, it really does not matter whether ET is considered a "leukemia." ET is what it is on its own. ET is a "neoplasm" and is considered a "cancer" but make that cancer with a little "c" and not a big "C." Whether the "L-word" is a header under which MPNs get categorized does not change anything in terms of our individual outcomes.

Suggest not sweating it. just deal with the ET for what is is on its own accord and how it impacts your life.

All the best.

[Alexa445]

From what i've been reading is the presence of Philadelphia Chromosome found only in Leukemia makes the big difference between ET and Leukemia

[Townie]

Well that’s disturbing, whoever told you that, I’ve never been told this. Can someone please give me some information on this.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Alexa445, this might help mpnvoice.org.uk/about-mpns/...

mpnvoice.org.uk/about-mpns/...

[Cja1956]

When I first got my results back to see if my ET had progressed to Myelofibrosis, the first words out of my doctor’s mouth were “The good news is that you don’t have leukemia.” My diagnosis was MF intermediate 1. I can’t say I was jumping for joy that I had MF, but apparently, it was a better diagnosis than leukemia. That being said, there are some some sights on Google that say that Mpn’s are a form of leukemia, but I trust my doctor and I agree with Hunter that just you should take the diagnosis of ET for what it is, and not worry about what it might or might not be.

[Bazzak]

🤣🤣