Myelofibrosis, Idiopathic

Synonyms

• Myelofibrosis and Myeloid Metaplasia
• Osteosclerosis
• Agnogenic Myeloid Metaplasia (AMM)
• Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF)
• Myelosclerosis
• Myelofibrosis-Osteosclerosis (MOS)

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Myelofibrosis is a condition characterized by formation of fibrous tissue (fibrosis) within the bone marrow. Bone marrow is sponge-like tissue found within the bones of the body and is responsible for the production of all blood cells (i.e., red and white blood cells and platelets). Myelofibrosis may occur as a secondary characteristic to other disorders such as polycythemia vera, certain metabolic disorders, and/or chronic myeloid leukemia. In many cases, the cause of myelofibrosis is unknown (idiopathic).

In idiopathic myelofibrosis, the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells may be impaired. Symptoms of idiopathic myelofibrosis may include abnormally low levels of circulating red blood cells (anemia), an abnormally large spleen (splenomegaly), an abnormally large liver (hepatomegaly), weight loss, weakness and fatigue due to replacement of normal bone marrow cells, and/or episodes of severe pain in the abdomen, bones, and joints. In many cases, myelofibrosis occurs in association with increased bone density and the formation of small sharp pieces of bone (spicules) within the marrow cavity and increased bone density (osteosclerosis).
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Resources

American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
USA
Tel: 4043203333
Tel: 8002272345
Internet: http://www.cancer.org

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (301)251-1223
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov

Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Tel: (414)456-8325
Fax: (414)456-6530
Email: mnugent@hpi.mcw.edu
Internet: http://www.ibmtr.org; http://www.cibmtr.org

National Bone Marrow Transplant Link
20411 W. 12 Mile Rd
Suite 108
Southfield, MI 48076
Tel: (248)358-1886
Fax: (248)358-1889
Tel: (800)546-5268
Email: info@nbmtlink.org
Internet: http://www.nbmtlink.org

Myeloproliferative Mailing List (MPD-SUPPORT-L)
3706 North Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, FL 44030
USA
Tel: 3052954444
Fax: 3052953335
Email: lov2laf@bellsouth.net
Internet: http://www.members.aol.com/mpdsupport

Italian Registry of Myelofibrosis with Myeloid Metaplasia
Laboratoria Di Informatica Medica
IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo
Viale Golgi 19
Pavia, Intl 27100
Italy
Tel: 800 279 656
Fax: 0382 503393
Email: marchettim@smatteo.pv.it
Internet: http://www.myelofibrosis.net

CMPD Education Foundation
PO Box 4758
Scottsdale, AZ 85261
Tel: (480)443-1975
Fax: (480)443-1154
Email: jniblack@mpdinfo.org
Internet: http://www.mpdinfo.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 6/28/2002
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1996, 2000, 2002 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.