What Symptoms Do I Need to Look for With MF?
Myelofibrosis (MF) can cause a variety of symptoms, and each person’s experience with MF symptoms can change over time. Because MF is a progressive disease, it’s important to keep an eye out for any new or worsening symptoms that could indicate the disease is getting worse.
Speak up and spell it out! It’s important to understand your MF symptoms and proactively communicate them to your Healthcare Professional, even in between office visits. Knowing how your symptoms are affecting you can help them make an effective care management plan for you.
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What Are Common MF Symptoms?
In addition to the symptoms caused by an enlarged spleen, MF can affect the body in other ways. The table below lists common symptoms. Remember, you may have some of these symptoms but not others, as this condition is different for everyone.
Are there activities that you were able to do 3 months ago that you struggle with now?
How much does your inactivity influence your day-to-day activities?
Do you experience sweating, particularly at night or in the evenings? How often did this happen in the past month?
When you shower, do you ever feel itchy afterwards? How often?
Have you felt any deep achiness throughout your body that causes you to limit your activities?
Are you losing weight, and if so, how much weight have you lost over the last 6 months?
How often have you had a fever of >100 degrees Fahrenheit?
How often have you felt memory lapses, had an inability to pay attention for long periods, or had problems concentrating?
Cause of These Symptoms:
Inflammation caused by high levels of certain proteins (cytokines) in the blood
Do you have abdominal discomfort, particularly after eating?
Do you feel full quickly after meals?
Cause of These Symptoms:
Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
According to the MPN Landmark Survey,* 81% of patients with MF reported that their symptoms reduced their quality of life.
*The MPN Landmark Survey was a web-based questionnaire, sponsored by Incyte, intended to help evaluate the patient disease burden in the MPN setting. A total of 813 patients in the US diagnosed with MF, PV, or ET completed the survey (207 with MF; 380 with PV; and 226 with ET).
Why Is Tracking MF Symptoms Important?
Because MF is a progressive condition, it has the potential to change over time. That means that some of the signs and symptoms may change as well. This is why it’s important to take an active role in monitoring your condition over time by tracking your MF on a regular basis—and sharing any changes with your Healthcare Professional.
Regular symptom tracking provides a number of valuable insights. Not only does it help identify trends within your health, but it can also help you and your Healthcare Professional better understand how to manage and adjust your care over time.
It is important to keep track of any symptoms you have, even if you are not sure they are related to your MF. Don’t assume that any symptom is too minor or not worth recording. Tracking your symptoms and talking about them with your Healthcare Professional helps you both:
- Understand how MF is affecting you
- Follow how your MF is changing over time
- Discuss options for managing your MF and its symptoms
Remember, these insights will help your Healthcare Professional understand what’s happening with your condition over time—and that can help ensure that your MF treatment approach is the right one for you.
What Are Common Findings in MF?
The table below lists common findings in MF.
COMMON FINDINGS IN MYELOFIBROSIS
HOW YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFIES THE FINDING
Scar-like tissue in the bone marrow
(also called "fibrosis")
Bone marrow biopsy takes a sample of your bone marrow with a needle
Enlarged spleen
Usually noticed by feeling the abdomen; can also be seen through procedures such as ultrasound, computed tomography, or MRI
Change in the form and number of white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets
Blood is studied under a microscope to look at the shape of the blood cells and to see if abdominal blood cells are present. A complete blood count (CBC) and platelet count can be conduced to determine the number of various blood cells
Gene mutations: changes in genes associated with myelofibrosis
Blood tests
Why Is Spleen Size Important in MF?
When the bone marrow cannot make enough normal blood cells, the spleen begins to make them. This causes the spleen to grow larger. An enlarged spleen is a common finding in MF. The medical term for an enlarged spleen is splenomegaly (splee-nuh-MEG-uh-lee).
Symptoms of an enlarged spleen can include
- Pain or discomfort in the abdomen or under the left ribs
- Feeling full when you haven’t eaten or have eaten very little
It is important to tell your Healthcare Professional if you have any of these symptoms.
What Should People With MF Know About Anemia?
With MF, scar tissue can build up in the bone marrow, preventing it from making enough red blood cells, resulting in anemia. Anemia is common in people living with MF. Anemia can be associated with certain symptoms that are important to monitor. If you’re experiencing anemia, be sure to discuss it with your Healthcare Professional.
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