WHAT
ARE MY
OPTIONS?
HOW TO
ACHIEVE
CHR
MANAGE PV to take charge of your well-being
Understanding blood counts and test results
When it comes to PV, staying on top of your blood tests—and making sense of them all—is key. By catching changes early, you can actively partner with your doctor and take charge of your PV. Find education and resources below to help you break it down one blood count at a time.
In PV, all blood counts are important
Traditionally, PV treatment has focused on managing hematocritThe percentage of red blood cells in your total blood volume. (HCT) levels, which is the percentage of red blood cellsA common type of blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. in your blood volume.
But there’s more to managing PV than just red blood cells. Your white blood cellsA type of blood cell made in the bone marrow that helps the body fight infections and disease. and plateletsSmall cell fragments made in the bone marrow that help form clots and stop or prevent bleeding. are also important pieces of the puzzle.
Maintaining a healthy balance
To make sure all 3 blood counts stay in a healthy range, your doctor will order regular blood tests, including a complete blood countA blood test that measures your red and white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit., or CBC.
These tests will help your doctor measure whether your disease is progressing, assess how well your treatment is working, and determine if you may be at risk for certain PV complications.
Download our blood test guide to understand what common blood characteristics are measured, what they mean, and how they may impact your treatment plan.
Another piece of the puzzle
Studies have shown that elevated white blood cells and platelets increase risk of blood clots that block veins and arteries. A high white blood cell count can also be a sign that PV is changing into a more serious type of cancer, like myelodysplastic syndromeA rare group of cancers that happen when the bone marrow doesn’t make enough healthy blood cells. Sometimes, MDS can turn into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). or acute myeloid leukemiaA rare, fast-growing cancer that affects your bone marrow and blood, and can spread to other parts of the body. (AML).
Putting all the PV pieces together
Achieving CHR means that:
- All 3 blood cell counts (red, white, and platelets) have returned to normal levels
- You haven’t required a phlebotomyA procedure used to treat certain blood disorders by removing extra red blood cells and decreasing blood volume. (fluh-bot-uh-mee) in the past 3 months
Reaching comprehensive disease control means that:
- Spleen size is normal
- No thromboembolic events
- All 3 blood cell counts have returned to normal
- No phlebotomy needed in the past 3 months
Self-advocacy tip
If your doctor doesn’t measure your CHR already, be sure to speak up and ask for it as part of your PV care plan.
I keep track of my blood test results in my online medical files through different doctors. I also keep a log in my phone with all of my blood test results.
Detailing PV treatment options
Goals of PV therapy
Because PV is a lifelong condition, the goal of treatment is to help you keep all 3 blood counts at normal levels and reduce your risk for thrombotic events and disease progression.
But measuring treatment success is also about how you feel—and whether you can live life to the fullest. That’s why it’s so important to understand all your treatment options, speak up about what matters to you, and take an active, ongoing role in managing your PV.
Phlebotomy
The most common treatment for PV is having your blood withdrawn through a procedure called “phlebotomy.”
- Removes blood through a needle in a vein, using the same procedure as when someone donates blood
- Reduces excess blood cells and lowers blood volume to help your blood flow more freely
- How often you need phlebotomy depends on how severe your PV is
Cytoreductive therapy
Cytoreductive medicines are prescribed to help lower all 3 blood counts and reduce the risk of blood clots.
- Chemotherapy: One of the most commonly used cytoreductive treatments are drugs known as chemotherapy, or chemo. These drugs kill or slow the growth of cancer cells and other fast-growing cells in the body, including healthy ones
- JAK inhibitors: JAK inhibitors work by blocking the JAK2A gene that makes a protein to help control the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets made in the bone marrow. protein that sends signals for excessive blood cell production. By interrupting these signals, they help control the overproduction of blood cells
- Interferons: Interferons are a type of immunotherapy that suppress the abnormal stem cells with JAK2 mutationsA rare mutation in the JAK2 gene that can cause the body to make too many blood cells. that cause PV, helping to restore normal blood cell production in the bone marrow
FDA-approved treatment for PV
Learn about an innovative interferon that helps control PV.
Low-dose aspirin
Your doctor may recommend a daily regimen of low-dose aspirin, sometimes called “baby aspirin.” You may take aspirin in combination with other therapies.
- Works by preventing platelets from sticking together to help reduce the risk of blood clots that can cause life-threatening heart attacks and strokes
- May help reduce inflammation and pain in your hands and feet
- Can increase your risk of bleeding and stomach ulcers, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before you start taking aspirin regularly
Clinical trials
You can talk to your doctor about participating in a clinical trial investigating new therapies for PV. Like all available treatment options, clinical trials have both risks and benefits to consider.
Supportive treatments and lifestyle changes
Your healthcare team may also recommend:
- Antihistamines or ultraviolet light treatments to relieve itching
- Lifestyle changes and self-care tips to help alleviate PV symptoms and reduce the risk of complications
Take care!
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Explore a PV treatmentNCCN Guidelines for Patients®
The alliance creates the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), which recommend treatments for different types of cancers, including PV and other MPNs.1 Trusted by doctors around the world, these comprehensive guidelines are:
- Based on the latest research and clinical evidence
- Frequently updated as new information becomes available
- Designed to help your care team make informed decisions backed by science
There is also an easy-to-understand version of the guidelines to empower people with PV and other cancers to talk with their doctors about the best treatment options.
Reference: 1. Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms V.2.2025. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Accessed July 9, 2025. To view the most recent and complete version of the guidelines, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.