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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Myelofibrosis usually develops slowly. In its very early stages, many people don't experience signs or symptoms. But as disruption of normal blood cell production increases, signs and symptoms may include:

  • Feeling tired, weak or short of breath, usually because of anemia
  • Pain or fullness below your ribs on the left side, due to enlarged spleen
  • Enlarged liver
  • Pale skin
  • Easy bruising
  • Easy bleeding
  • Excessive sweating during sleep (night sweats)
  • Fever
  • Frequent infections
  • Bone pain

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you:

  • Feel run-down or tired
  • Have a feeling of unusual fullness in your left abdomen
  • Experience unexplained weight loss
  • Sweat excessively during sleep
  • Have other possible signs and symptoms of myelofibrosis

These signs and symptoms, although vague, should be checked out by your doctor.

References
  1. Tefferi A. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of primary myelofibrosis (agnogenic myeloid metaplasia). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008. 
  2. Tefferi A. Prognosis and treatment of primary myelofibrosis (agnogenic myeloid metaplasia). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
  3. Tefferi A. Pathogenic mechanisms in primary myelofibrosis (anogenic myeloid metaplasia). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
  4. Cervantes F. Modern management of myelofibrosis. British Journal of Haemotology. 2005;128(5):583-92.
  5. Papageorgiou SG, et al. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation as treatment for myelofibrosis. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2006;38(11):721-727.
  6. Idiopathic myelofibrosis. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/attachments/National/br_1190656475.pdf. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
  7. Chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/myeloproliferative/HealthProfessional/page5. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
  8. Myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia. MayoClinic.org. http://www.mayoclinic.org/myelofibrosis/treatment.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.
  9. Reduced-intensity transplants. National Marrow Donor Program. http://www.marrow.org/PATIENT/Undrstnd_Disease_Treat/Undrstnd_Treat_Opt/Lrn_BMT_Cord/R_Intensity_Tx/index.html. Accessed Oct. 14, 2008.

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Feb. 3, 2009

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