Myelofibrosis: a concise review of clinical and pathologic features and treatment

This paper reviews and clarifies the current understanding of the clinical and pathologic features and treatment of MF. Recent investigations indicate that MF may be mediated by platelet- and megakaryocyte-derived growth factors, impaired prostaglandin-mediated stem cell growth inhibition, or excessive endothelial cell and fibroblast proliferation. Immunologic disorders have been associated with MF. MF may be either a primary or a secondary phenomenon. Secondary MF often regresses with appropriate treatment of this underlying disorder. Primary MF may require androgen therapy, splenectomy, splenic irradiation, bone curettage, chemotherapy, or bone marrow transplantation.