Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Hematol. Aug 6, 2015; 4(3): 16-53
Published online Aug 6, 2015. doi: 10.5315/wjh.v4.i3.16
Table 1 The 1980 Rotterdam clinical and pathological criteria for essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera
1A The 1980 RCP major (A) and confirmative (B) criteria for prefibrotic ET
A1 Persistent platelet count in excess of 400 × 109/L
A2 Increase and clustering of enlarged megakaryocytes in bone marrow biopsy
A3 No or slight increase of reticulin fibers (RF 0 or RF 1)
B1 Presence of large platelets in a peripheral blood smear
B2 Absence of any underlying disease for reactive thrombocytosis and normal ESR
B3 No splenomegaly (< 12 cm) or slight splenomegaly on palpation or scan (< 15 cm)
B4 Increase of LAP-score and no signs of fever or inflammation
Exclusion criterion
Ph+ chromosome and any other cytogenetic abnormality in blood or bone marrow cells
1B The 1980 RCP major (A) and minor (B) criteria for prefibrotic PV
A1 Raised red cell mass. Male > 36 mL/kg, female > 32 mL/kg consistent with erythrocyte count of > 6 × 1012/L (Dameshek[1,2])
A2 Absence of primary or secondary erythrocytosis by clinical and laboratory tests
A3 Slight, moderate or marked increase in bone marrow biopsy of clustered, enlarged pleomorphic megakaryocytes with hyperlobulated nuclei and moderate to marked increase cellularity of megakaryopoiesis/erythropoiesis or typically trilinear mega-erythro-granulopoiesis. A typical PV bone marrow excludes erythrocytosis. No or presence of reticuline fibers and no collagen fibers (no dry tap)
B1 Thrombocythemia, persistant increase of platelet > 400 × 109/L
B2 Leukocytosis, leucocyte count > 109/L and low erythrocyte sedimentation rate
B3 Raised leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score > 100, absence of fever or infection
B4 Splenomegaly on palpation or on isotope/ultrasound scanning
A1 + A3 plus one of B establishes PV and excludes any variant of erythrocytosis
1C Grading of bone marrow biopsy content of RF according to Ellis et al[41], Georgii et al[35,36] and Wilkins et al[171] and WHO grading of MF[98-101]
Grading RF[41]Grading MF 2008 WHO91Description of RF and reticulin/collagen fibers in MF as a secondary event in MPN
Normal RF 0N MF 0No reticulin fibers, occasional individual fibers or focal areas with tiny amount of reticulin fiber network
Slight increase RF 1+ MF 0Fine reticulin fiber network throughout much of section and no course reticulin fibers
Moderate increase RF 2++ MF 1Diffuse fine reticuline network with focal collections of thick course reticulin fibers and no collagenisation
Marked increase RF 3+++ RCF = MF 2Diffuse and dense increase in reticulin with extensive intersections, and presence of collagen fibers and no or minor O
OS Dry tap RF 4Sclerotic RCF and O = MF 3Diffuse and dense reticulin with with coarse bundles of collagen associated with significant O
Table 2 Polycythemia vera study group criteria for polycythemia vera[10] and diagnostic differentiation of polycythemia vera from all variants of primary and secondary erythrocytoses by bone marrow histology[17]
Major criteria PVMinor criteria PV
A1 RCM, males > 36 mL/kg females > 32 mL/kg. HemoglobinB1 Thrombocytosis Platelet count > 400 × 109/L
18.5 g/dL male and > 16.5 g/dL females (PVSG, WHO)B2 Leukocytosis > 12 × 109/L
A2 Normal arterial oxygen saturation > 92%B3 Raised neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score > 100 or raised B12
A3 Splenomegaly on palpation(> 900 ng/L) or raised unsaturated B12 binding capacity (> 2200 ng/L)
B3 is replaced by spontaneous EEC as a specific clue to PV
Benign erythrocytosis: 1980 RCP criteriaMyeloproliferative PV: 1980 RCP criteria
RCM, males > 36 mL/kg females > 32 mL/kg or increased erythrocytes above 6 × 1012/LIncreased red cell counts > 6 × 1012/L or increased RCM and increase of clustered large megakaryocytes with hyperlobulated nuclei is a pathognomonic diagnostic clue to PV
Normal platelet and leukocyte countsNormal RCM = inapparent erythrocytosis is not associated with splenomegaly
Normal bone marrow histopathology: normal cellularity and erythropoiesis, and normal size, morphology andand shows normal bone histology, whereas IPV is associated with splenomegaly and show typical features of PV bone marrow histology
distribution of megakaryocytes
Classification of erythrocytoses[74]Notes anno 1980-1999[74]
Congenital or primary erythrocytosis including mutationIncreased RCM does not distinguish between PV and primary erythrocytosis
truncated EPO recepotor, disrupted oxygen homeostasis inIncreased RCM does not distinguish between PV and IPV. IPV is featured by
Chuvash erythrocytosis, high oxygen affinityadvanced PV with normal hb, Ht and erythrocyte count due to splenomegaly and
hemoglobinopathy, and congenital autonomous EPOhypersplenism and with increase of reticulin fibrosis with typical PV bone
productionmarrow features
Secondary erythrocytosis due to autonomous EPO production in renal diseases or by tumour cels or due to hypoxiaIn IPV the values of hemoglobin hematocrit and erythrocytes are normal but RCM is increased due to splenomegaly with absence of hypervolemic symptoms
Idiopathic erythrocytoses
Table 3 Comparion of clinical and laboratory features between polycythemia vera study group defined polycythemia vera (group A) and inapparent polyctemia vara (group B)
Clinical featureGroup A PVGroup B IPVP-value
No. of cases8518
Age (range)61 (27-83)52 (28-82)NS
Sex male/female56/42%39/61%NS
Splenomegaly44 (52%)15 (83%)< 0.005
Leukocytes > 12 × 10/L31 (36%)5 (28%)NS
Platelets > 500 × 10/L40 (47%)10 (56%)NS
Red cell counts × 10/L: males6.2 (4.9-7.4)5.2 (4.7-5.9)< 0.0002
Red cell mass males48.2 (36-60)43.3 (41-61)NS
Red cell counts females6 (4.2-7.3)4.7 (3.7-5.5)< 0.003
Red cell mass females40.1 (32-59)37.3 (34-46)NS
Plasma volume PV vs IPV
Increase/theoretical norm (%)10 (-11, 61)36 (20, 98)< 0.00001
Table 4 Clinical and hematological findings in thrombocythemia of various myeloproliferative diseases polycythemia vera, primary myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythemia in 395 myeloproliferaive disease patients from the Cologne Institute of Pathology 1980-1989
Diagnosis cologne criteriaPVPMFTrue ETNV
No. of patients5525040
Thrombocythemia > 500 × 109/L (%)4848100< 350
Thrombocythemia > 1000 × 109/L (%)61765
Age (median years)636658
Male/female20/3558/6214/26
Platelets, × 109/L mean ± SD808 ± 288960 ± 3611386 ± 541< 350
Erythrocytes, × 10/L mean ± SD6.7 ± 0.24.5 ± 0.14.6 ± 0.7< 6.0
Hemoglobin, g/dL17.7 ± 0.412.8 ± 0.213.7 ± 2
Leukocytes17 ± 115 ± 913 ± 5
Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score164 ± 9198 ± 8357 ± 43< 10
Spleen size increase on palpation (cm)2.0 ± 3.32.6 ± 3.10.4 ± 0.8NP
Observed 10 yr survival (mo)10685170
Specific loss of life expectancy (%)19223
Bone marrow histopathologyPVPMFTrue ETRT
MegakaryocytesPleomorphImmature giantStaghornN
Frequency/mm hematopoietic area123/27112/37157/4598/39
Size (μm2)385 ± 102386 ± 197425 ± 117328 ± 84
Erythropoiesis × 1044 ± 89 ± 422 ± 527 ± 4
Granulopoiesis × 1065 ± 1258 ± 2747 ± 1557 ± 18
Reticulin fibers × 10 (mm )21 ± 1197 ± 4115 ± 715 ± 6
No. of patients12040
LAP score110 ± 6057 ± 43< 100
Spleen size1.7 ± 1.40.4 ± 0.8NP
Observed survival (mo)77170-
Specific loss in life expectancy (%)5330
Table 5 The 2002 European Clinical and Pathological criteria for the diagnosis of "true" essential thrombocythemia and chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis or primary megakaryocytic granulocytic myeloproliferation according to Michiels et al[91]
Clinical ECP criteria of "true" ETPathological ECP criteria of "true" ET
A1 Persistent increase of platelet count grade 1 400-1500 × 109/L, grade 2 > 1500 × 109/LB1 Predominant proliferation of enlarged to giant megakaryocytes wit hyperlobulated staghorn-like nuclei and mature cytoplasm, lacking conspicious cytological abnormalities
A2 Normal spleen or only minor splenomegaly on echogramB2 No proliferation or immaturity of granulopoisis or erythropoiesis
A3 Normal LAP score, normal ESR and increased MPVB3 No or only borderline increase in reticulin fibers
A4 Spontaneous megakaryocyte colony formation (CFU-Meg)The combination of A1 and B1 + B2 establish "true" ET. Any other criterion confirms ET
A5 No signs or cause of reactive thrombocytosis
A6 No preceding or allied other subtype of MPN, PV, MDS or CML
A7 Absence of Philadelphia chromosome
Clinical ECP criteria of CIMF or PMGMPathological ECP criteria of CIMF or PMGM
A1 No preceding or allied other subtype of MPN, PV, CML or MDSB1 PMGM and relative or absolute reduction of erythropoiesis (erythroid precursors). Abnormal clustering and increase of atypical immature medium-sized large to giant megakaryocyte containing (Cloud-like) hypolobulated nucle and definitive maturation defects
Early clinical stageStaging of myelofibrosis: MF in ET, PV and PMGM
Normal hemoglobin, or anemia grade 1: HemoglobinMF 0 No reticulin fibrosis RF 0/1
> 12 g/dL, slight or moderate splenomegaly on palpationMF 1 Slight reticulin fibrosis RF 2
or > 11 cm on ultrasound or CT. ThrombocythemiaMF 2 Marked increase RF grade 3 and slight to moderate collagen fibrosis
around 1000 × 109/LMF 3 Advanced collagen fibrosis-osteosclerosis (endophytic bone formation)
Intermediate clinical stage
Anemia grade 2, hemoglobin > 10 g/dL, definitive leuko-erythroblastic blood picture and/or tear-drop erythrocytes. Splenomegaly on palpation, no adverse signs
Advance clinical stage
Anemia grade 3, hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, significant splenomegaly and one or more adverse signs
Table 6 The 2000 European Clinical and Pathological criteria for the diagnosis of polycythemia vera defined by Michiels[73] in 1997[9,74], and in 2000[93]
Clinical ECP criteria of PVPathological ECP criteria of PV
A1 Increased erythrocytes > 6 × 1012/L. Raised RCM: RCM (optional) male > 36 mL/kg, female > 3.2 mL/kg or increased red cell counts above 6 × 1012/LB1 Thrombocytheia: platelet count > 400 × 109/L
A2 Absence of any cause of primary or secondary erythrocytosis by clinical and laboratory investigationsB2 Granulocytes > 10 × 109/L and raised LAP score in the absence of fever or infection
A3 Histopathology of bone marrow biopsyB3 Splenomgaly on palpation or on echogram > 11 cm
(1) Increase and clusters of pleomorph large megakaryocytes with hyperploid nuceiB4 Spontaneous erythroid colony formation in the absence of EPO and low plasma or serum EPO level
(2) Increased cellulartity due to increased erythropoiesis or erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis (panmyelosis)Staging of MF related to reticulin fibrosis
(3) No or slight increase of reticulin fibersMF 0 No reticulin fibrosis RF 0/1
MF 1 Slight reticulin fibrosis RF 2
MF 2 Marked increase RF grade 3 and slight to moderate collagen fibrosis
MF 3 Advanced collagen fibrosis-osteosclerosis
Table 7 2015 World Health Organization Clinical Molecular and Pathological criteria for the diagnosis of prodromal, masked and classical JAK2 mutated polycythemia vera vs primary or secondary erythrocytoses[77,78]
CM criteriaBone marrow pathology (P) criteria (WHO)
Major criteria for PVP1 Bone marrow pathology: increased cellularity (60%-100%) due to trilinear increase of erythropoiesis, megakaryopoiesis and granulopoiesis and clustering of small to giant (pleomorph) megakaryocytes with hyperlobulated nuclei
A1 Hematocrit > 0.51/> 0.48 in male/female Erythrocytes > 5.8 × 1012/L males > 5.6 × 1012/L femalesAbsence of stainable iron. No pronounced inflammatory reaction
A2 Presence of heterozygous and/or homozygous JAK2V617F or JAK2 exon 12 mutationP2 Erythrocytosis. Normal erythropoiesis, normal granulopoiesis and megakaryocytes of normal size, morphology and no clustering
A3 Low serum Epo levelGrading of RF and MF
MinorPrefibrotic: RF-0/1 = MF-0
B1 Persistent increase of platelet count × 109/L:Early fibrotic: RF-2 = MF-1
grade 1: 400-1500, grade 2: > 1500Fibrotic: RCF 3 = MF-2
B2 Granulocytes > 10 × 109/L or Leukocytes > 12 × 109/L and raisedPost-PV MF: RF 4 = MF-3
LAP-score or increased CD11b expression in the absence of fever or infection
B3 Splenomegaly on ultrasound echogram (> 12 cm length in diameter) or on palpation
B4 Spontaneous EEC formation (optional)
Table 8 2015 World Health Organization clinical molecular and pathobiological criteria for diagnosis of JAK2V617F mutated essential throbocythemia[77,78]
CM criteriaBone marrow pathology (P) criteria (WHO)
ETNormocellular ET
(1) Platelet count of > 350 × 109/L and the presence of large platelets in a blood smearProliferation and clustering of enlarged mature pleomorphic megakaryocytes with hyperlobulated nuclei and mature cytoplasm, lacking conspicuous morphological abnormalities
(2) Heterozygous JAK2V617F mutation, and low JAK2 allele mutation loadNormocellular bone marrow (< 60%) and no proliferation or immaturity of granulopoiesis or erythropoiesis
(3) Normal erythrocytes < 5.8 × 1012/L males, < 5.6 × 1012/L femalesRF 0 or 1
(4) Hb and ht normal or in the upper range of normal
Prodromal PVET with bone marrow features of PV
(1) Platelet count of > 350 × 109/L Hb and Ht normak or in the upper range of normal, normal erythrocyte < 5.8 × 1012/L males, < 5.6 × 1012/L femalesIncreased cellularity (60%-80%) due to increased erytropoiesis or trilineage myeloproliferation (i.e., panmyelosis). Proliferation and clustering of medium sized to large (pleomorphic) mature megakaryocytes
(2) Presence of JAK2V617F mutation and variable JAK mutation loadAbsence bone marrow features consistent with congenital polycythemia and secondary erythrocytosis
(3) Low serum EPO level and increased LAP scoreRF 0 or 1
(4) Spontaneous EEC
Prefibrotic hypercellular ETEMGM
(1) Platelet count of > 350 × 109/LHypercellular ET due to chronic megakaryocytic and EMGM and normal or reduced erythroid precursors
(2) Presence of JAK2V617F mutation and high JAK2 mutation loadLoose to dense clustering of more pleiomorphic megakaryocytes with hyperploid or clumpsy nuclei (not or some cloud-like)
(3) Slight or moderate splenomegaly on ultrasound or on palpation
(4) No preceding or allied CML, PV, PMGM, RARS-T or MDS
Clinical stage 1: No anemia with Hb and Ht in the normal or low normal range: hb > 12 g/dL, normal LDH and CD34+Grading of reticulin fibrosis and MF in EMGM
Clinical stage 2: Slight anemia Hb < 12 to > 10 g/dL, LDH↑, and splenomegalyPrefibrotic: RF 0/1 = MF 0, no/minor splenomegaly
Clinical stage 3: Anemia, Hb < 10 g/dL, LDH↑↑, CD34+, leukoerythroblastose and, tear dropEarly fibrotic EMGM: RF 2 = MF 1 and minor or moderate splenomegaly
Fibrotic EMGM: RF 3, RCF = MF 2 and overt splenomegaly
Post-ET MF: RF 3/4 = MF 2/3 (WHO criteria)
Table 9 2015 WHO Clinical Molecular and Pathological criteria for the diagnosis of normocelular essential thrombocythemia carrying one of the MPL515 mutations[78]
CM JAK2 wild type ETBone marrow pathology (P) criteria (WHO)
(1) Platelet count > 350 × 109/L and presence of large platelets in blood smearP1 Proliferation of large to giant mature megakaryocyte with hyperlobulated, staghorn-like nuclei in a normocellular bone marrow (< 65%)
(2) Hemoglobin, haematocrit and erythrocyte count in the normal rangeNo increase of erythropoiesis, and no increase or immaturity of granulopoiesis or erythropoiesis, no or slight increase in reticulin RF 0/1
(3) Presence of MPL515 mutation and JAK2 wild typeET → MF
(4) Normal serum EPOIncreased reticulin fibrosis around dense clustered megakaryocytes in a normocellular bone marrow and reduced erythropoiesis. Follow-up data of RF and MF related to splenomegaly in MPL515 ET transltional states to MF are lacking. Grading of RF and MF similar as described for PV
(5) Normal LAP score and CD11b expression
(6) No or slight splenomegaly
(7) No leukoerythroblastosis
(8) No preceding or allied CML, PV, RAS-T or MDS
Table 10 World Health Organization-clinical molecular and pathological criteria for hypercellular essential thrombocythemia associated with primary megakaryocytic, granulocytic myeloproliferation caused by calreticulin mutations[78]
Clinical CM criteria JAK2 wild type PMGMPathological ECP criteria of CALR MGM
A1 No preceding or allied other subtype of myeloproliferative neoplasm PV, CML, MDS. The main presenting features is pronounced isolated thrombocythemia with platelet count around or above 1000 × 109/LP1 PMGM and relative or absolute reduction of erythropoiesis and erythroid precursors. Abnormal dense clustering and increase in atypical medium sized, large to giant immature megakaryocytes containing bulbous (cloud-like) hypolobulated nuclei and definitive maturation defects
A2 Presence of CALR mutation and JAK2 wild type
C Clinical stages of CALR MGMMF Grading RF, MF
C1 Early clinical stage: Hb > 12 g/dL, slight to moderate splenomegaly, thrombocytosis around or above 1000 × 109/L, normal LAP scoreMF 0 Prefibrotic CALR MGM, no reticulin fibrosis RF 0/1
C2 Intermediate clinical stage: slight anemia Hb < 12 to > 10 g/dL, decreasing platelet count, splenomegaly, increased LDH and definitive tear drop erythrocytesMF 1 Early fibrotic CALR MGM slight reticulin fibrosis RF 2
C3 Advanced stage: anemia Hb < 10 g/dL, tear drop erythrocytes, increased LDH, increased CD34+ cells, pronounced splenomegaly, normal or decreased platelet counts, leucocytosis or leukopeniaMF 2 Fibrotic CALR MGM increase RF grade 3 and slight to moderate collagen fibrosis
MF 3 Advanced fibrotic CALR MGM with collagen fibrosis-osteosclerosis
Table 11 Staging of JAK2V617F positive prodromal polycythemia vera, erythrocythemic polycythemia vera, classical polycythemia vera, early myelofibrosis, inapparent polycythemia vera, spent phase polycythemia vera and post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis according to 2015 World Health Organization-Clinical Molecular and Pathological criteria related to therapy
PV: WHO-ECMP stage0123456
WHO-ECMPProdromalErythrocy-themic PVEarly PVManifest PVPV early MFInapparentSpent PV
Clinical diagnosisPVClassical PVMasked PVPVPost-PV MF
LAP-score↑/↑↑Variable
EEC+++++++
Serum EPON/↓N/↓Variable
Erythrocytes × 1012/L> 5.8< 5.8> 5.8> 5.8> 5.8Normal < 5.5Decreased
Leukocytes × 109/L< 12< 12< or > 12< or > 15> 15N or ↑> 20
Platelets × 109/L> 400400< or > 400> 400< or >1000N low or ↑Variable
WHO-ECMP bone marrowEarly PVEarly PVEarly PVTrilinear PVTrilinear PVPrilinear PVMyelofibrosis
Bone marrow cellularity (%)50-8050-8060-10080-10080-10060-100Decreased
Grading reticulin fibrosis: RFRF 0-1RF 0-1RF 0-1RF 0/1RCF1/2/3RCF 1/2/3RCF 3/4
Grading myelofibrosis: MF57MF 0MF 0MF 0MF 0MF 0/1MF 0/2MF 2/3
Splenomegaly on palpationNo/+NoNo/++++/+++++/+++/large
Spleen size, echogram (cm)< 12-15< 1312-1512-1618 > 2016 > 20> 20
Spleen size on palpation (cm)0-3NP0-34-6> 6> 6> 8
JAK2V617F in granulocytes %LowLowModerate < 50High > 50High > 50Mod/HighHigh > 50
JAK2V617F in BFU-e (exon 12)+(++)+(++)+(++)+++++++
Risk stratification → therapeutic implications anno 2014Low riskLow riskLow riskIntermediate risk PVHigh riskWait/seePost-PV MF
PV early MFIFNSpent phase PV
JAK2
First line Aspirin/PhlebotomyAspirinAspirinPhlebotomyPhlebotomyIf IFN resistant →If IFNJAK2
Second line IFN vs HUPhlebotomyPhlebotomyAspirinAspirinHU or JAK2ResistentInhibitor →
Third line JAK2 inhibitorLow dose IFN → responsiveIFN → resistant → HUinhibitorJAK2 inhibitorBone marrow transplant
Table 12 2015 update on the molecular landscape findings in the chronic phase of essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera and myelofibrosis and during blast phase of myeloproliferative neoplasms transformation[121]
GeneChronic phase ET, PV and MFBlast phase/AML
JAK2V617FPV: 95%-98%; ET and MF: 50%-60%
MPLET: 1.5%; MF: 5%-10%
TET2PV: 7%-16%; ET: 4%-11%; MF: 8%-17%
ASXLPV: 2%; ET: 5%-8%; MF: 7%-17%19%
DNMT3APV: 7%; ET: 3%; MF: 7%-15%17%
CBLMF: 6%
LNKPV, ET, MF: < 5%10%
IDH 1/2MF: 4%21%
IKZF19%
EZH2MPNs: 5%-13%
P5327%
SRSF219%