Patients with polycythemia vera (PV) have increased risk for bleeding complications after surgery. Therefore, coordination between the patient’s surgeon (the doctor who does the operation) and hematologist-oncologist (the doctor who monitors your PV) is very important because the surgeon may not be aware of the patient’s increased risks of bleeding and thrombosis. When surgery is elective, it is recommended that the patient’s platelet and red blood counts have reached normal range before surgery. There should also be a plan to minimize the risk for excessive bleeding and deep vein thrombosis after surgery.
To download lists of suggested questions to ask your healthcare providers, click here.
Related Links
- Download or order The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s free booklet, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.