Essential thrombocythemia, hemolytic anemia and hepatic cirrhosis: Could there be an association?

Abstract

Vascular events are the most common clinical complication of essential thrombocythemia, leading to sign and symptoms of this disease. There are various sign and symptoms of essential thrombocythemia, such as thrombosis in artery or vein, and enlarged spleen. Portal hypertension and hepatic cirrhosis could be caused by essential thrombocythemia via intrahepatic thrombus. Anemia in essential thrombocythemia patient treated with hydroxyurea could be the side effect of bone marrow supression and also hydroxyurea induced hemolytic anemia. Association betweeen autoimmune hemolytic anemia and primary biliary cirrhosis or hepatic cirrhosis has been discussed. This case report presented an patient diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia. He later developed hepatic cirrhosis possibly caused by intra hepatic thrombus in the setting of hypercoagulabuility in myeloproliverative disorders. He also sufferred from anemia due to hydroxyurea induced hemolytic anemia. Association between autoimmune hepatic cirrhosis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia should also be considered in this patient.