While PV is not technically identified as a cancer, it does share many characteristics of other blood cancers and can lead to acute myelogenous leukemia. TIAs are in fact known as "mini-strokes" and can have lasting effects on the person suffering from these attacks. A person who suffers from more than on TIA is at risk of experiencing a full-blown stroke in the future.

While I am not sure if PV causes itchy skin or not, the itchy skin can be a side effect of the hydrea as well. It is also worth noting that hydrea, when used as a long-term treatment for diseases such as PV, can lead to secondary leukemia, increasing further the PV patient's chance of developing this disease.

As for interferon being a treatment option for PV, it is also a treatment option which comes with its own set of possible side effects including extreme fatigue and debilitating depression. It is not a treatment for everyone.

I felt that Barb's story was closely-enough related to cancer and the cancer experience that it should remain under teh shared stories banner. If you would like to contribute to the PV discussion, I invite you to create a page with your own story/experience with the disease, or create a a page for PV where you can provide more information about the disease and the treatment options. Just go to "Cancer Types" and select "add a page."

Thank you for your comment and interest in this matter. Take care.

Louise, wiikiCancer moderator

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