Myelofibrosis in chronic myeloproliferative disorders--dynamics and clinical impact

In chronic myeloproliferative disorders, presenting or evolving myelofibrosis (MF) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A systematically conducted evaluation of previous studies and data from our own material reveals a strikingly expressed heterogeneity of findings. Assessment of MF should be performed by a recently established semiquantitative scoring system regarding quantity and quality (reticulin versus collagen). It is important to differentiate between a fiber increase in bone marrow specimens and the clinical diagnosis that is explicitly based on extramedullary hematopoiesis (myeloid metaplasia). For this reason, prodromal stages of (reticulin) fibrosis are overlooked by the clinicians. Up to 30% of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia show a minimal to advanced MF that is significantly associated not only with corresponding clinical parameters but more importantly with prognosis. In polycythemia vera about 20% of patients may display some degree of reticulin fibrosis at diagnosis, depending on stage of the disease. Transformation into (collagen) MF after more than 10 years is accompanied by clinical signs of myeloid metaplasia (spent phase). Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is characterised by the absence of increased reticulin at onset and an insignificant progression into MF, provided diagnosis is performed by the WHO criteria. Discrimination of prefibrotic and early stages of chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis (CIMF) from ET is relevant, especially concerning the rate and time usually required for the development of MF with myeloid metaplasia (full-blown CIMF). In conclusion, more elaborate evaluations including standardized grading of MF is warranted by regarding bone marrow biopsy specimens in association with clinical parameters including follow-up examinations.