Only just dropped in to this; ET (Essential Thrombocythemia) is now referred to as an MPN (N for Neoplasm) since about 2007 when WHO reclassified it. I was diagnosed in 2013, and have been on 1000mg Hydroxycarbamide plus baby aspirin ever since. Negligible side-effects and until diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago, had a completely normal life for someone in their 50s, apart from each birthday beginning with a 7. The only minor side effect is brittle nails, which is probably surviveable. So it doesn’t have to be a great problem, though others would probably disagree. My platelets hover around the 600-650 mark, which keeps the specialist happy as he reckons upping the chemo dose would probably oversuppress red cells. If you want a heap of original papers on the MPNs, contact me directly. Otherwise, Blood Cancer UK has a good leaflet on the MPNs (even though finally edited by myself…) and the specific MPN charity, MPNvoice has similar.
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