Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Polycythemia Vera
Chronic Idiopathic Myelofibrosis
Essential Thrombocythemia
Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia
Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia

A link to a list of current clinical trials is included for each treatment section. For some types or stages of cancer, there may not be any trials listed. Check with your doctor for clinical trials that are not listed here but may be right for you.

See the PDQ summary on Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Treatment for information.

The purpose of treatment for polycythemia vera is to reduce the number of extra blood cells. Treatment of polycythemia vera may include the following:

• Phlebotomy.
• Chemotherapy with or without phlebotomy.
• Biologic therapy using interferon alfa.
• A clinical trial of a new treatment.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with polycythemia vera.

Treatment of chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis in patients without symptoms is usually watchful waiting.

Treatment of chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis in patients with symptoms may include the following:

• Transfusion of red blood cells to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Biologic therapy using interferon alfa.
• Splenectomy.
• Radiation therapy to the spleen.
• Chemotherapy.
• Donor stem cell transplant.
• Thalidomide or lenalidomide.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Treatment of essential thrombocythemia in patients younger than 60 years who have no symptoms and an acceptable platelet count is usually watchful waiting. Treatment of other patients may include the following:

• Chemotherapy.
• Anagrelide therapy.
• Biologic therapy using interferon alfa.
• Platelet apheresis.
• A clinical trial of a new treatment.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with essential thrombocythemia.

Treatment of chronic neutrophilic leukemia may include the following:

• Donor bone marrow transplant.
• Chemotherapy.
• Biologic therapy using interferon alfa.
• A clinical trial of a new treatment.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with chronic neutrophilic leukemia.

Treatment of chronic eosinophilic leukemia may include the following:

• Bone marrow transplant.
• Biologic therapy using interferon alfa.
• A clinical trial of a new treatment.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with chronic eosinophilic leukemia.

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