What is a Neoplasm?

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A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of tissue that results from uncontrolled, excessive cell division. It is commonly referred to as a tumor. Neoplasms can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Types of Neoplasms:

  1. Benign Neoplasms:

    • Grow slowly

    • Do not invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body

    • Usually not life-threatening (unless located in a critical area like the brain)

    • Examples: Lipomas, uterine fibroids, moles

  2. Malignant Neoplasms (Cancers):

    • Can grow rapidly

    • Invade nearby tissues

    • May spread (metastasize) to distant parts of the body

    • Can be life-threatening

    • Examples: Lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia

Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) & Neoplasms

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) — a type of blood cancer. In ET, the bone marrow overproduces platelets, which increases the risk of blood clots or, paradoxically, bleeding.

  • ET is a type of neoplasm because it involves abnormal, clonal (cancer-like) growth of blood-forming cells.

  • Though it's considered a chronic cancer, many patients live normal lifespans with appropriate treatment and monitoring.

Common Symptoms of Neoplasms

General (Benign or Malignant)

  • Lumps or swelling under the skin

  • Fatigue not relieved by rest

  • Persistent pain

  • Skin changes (e.g., sores that don't heal, unusual pigmentation)

  • Changes in bowel or bladder habits

Malignant (Cancer-Specific)

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Persistent fever or night sweats

  • Unusual bleeding or bruising

  • Chronic cough or hoarseness

  • Loss of appetite or difficulty swallowing

Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) and other neoplasms 

Feature

Essential Thrombocythemia (ET)

Other Neoplasms (e.g., solid tumors or aggressive blood cancers)

Type

A type of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), which is a chronic blood cancer

Can be solid tumors (e.g., breast, lung, colon) or aggressive hematologic cancers (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma)

Origin

Arises in the bone marrow, specifically from stem cells producing too many platelets

Can arise from any tissue or organ, or from other blood cell lines

Growth Rate

Typically slow-growing, chronic course

Often fast-growing or aggressive, especially if malignant

Symptoms

Often asymptomatic or mild symptoms (e.g., headache, dizziness, blood clotting or bleeding issues)

Frequently presents with lumps, pain, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or night sweats

Malignancy

Considered malignant, but usually less aggressive and more manageable

Malignant tumors are often more invasive and can pose immediate health threats

Metastasis (Spread)

Does not metastasize like solid tumors

Malignant solid tumors often spread (metastasize) to other organs

Diagnosis

Identified by elevated platelet count, bone marrow biopsy, and genetic tests (e.g., JAK2, CALR, MPL)

Often diagnosed by imaging, biopsy, and tumor markers

Treatment

Treated with low-dose aspirin, hydroxyurea, interferon-alpha, or anagrelide, plus regular monitoring

May require surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy

Prognosis

Usually a normal or near-normal life expectancy with proper management

Varies widely – some are curable, others can be rapidly fatal if untreated

Risk of Progression

Small risk of transformation to myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) over time

Some cancers are already advanced at diagnosis or progress rapidly

General Symptoms Mentioned

Persistent fatigue, weight loss, lumps, pain, changes in bodily functions

 

Early Diagnosis

Improves the chance of successful treatment, even though many symptoms may not be due to cancer

 



Diagnosis & Testing

  • Blood tests: Especially for blood neoplasms like ET

  • Genetic testing: For mutations (e.g., JAK2, CALR, MPL in ET)

  • Imaging: CT, MRI, ultrasound to find solid tumors

  • Biopsy: Examining tissue under a microscope

  • Bone marrow biopsy: For blood cancers like ET

Genes:



rs12340895(C;G)


rs3780374(A;G)

rs10974944(C;G)




Treatment Options

  • Surgery: For localized tumors

  • Chemotherapy: Systemic treatment for fast-growing or widespread cancers

  • Radiation therapy

  • Targeted therapy: Acts on specific cancer cell mechanisms

  • Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system fight cancer

  • Palliative care: Manages symptoms and improves quality of life




When to See a Doctor

See a healthcare provider if you experience:

  • New, unexplained symptoms

  • Persistent fatigue or weight loss

  • Lumps, pain, or changes in bodily functions

Early diagnosis improves the chance of successful treatment, even though many symptoms may not be due to cancer.

References

Fibromuscular dysplasia https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromuscular-dysplasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352144

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms—Patient Version https://www.cancer.gov/types/myeloproliferative

 

© 2025-2030 Sieglinde W. Alexander. All writings by Sieglinde W. Alexander have a fife year copy right. Library of Congress Card Number: LCN 00-192742 ISBN: 0-9703195-0-9












 

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