What cancers cause high red blood cell count?

What cancers cause high red blood cell count?

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a blood cancer that begins in the marrow of your bones, the soft center where new blood cells grow. It causes your marrow to make too many red blood cells so your blood is too thick. You may be more likely to have clots, a stroke, or a heart attack.

What does a high red blood cell count mean?

A high red blood cell count means the number of red blood cells in your bloodstream is higher than normal. Normal red blood cell counts are: For men, 4.7 to 6.1 million red blood cells per microliter of blood For women, 4.2 to 5.4 million red blood cells per microliter of blood

What causes an increase in red blood cells?

Medical conditions that can cause an increase in red blood cells include: Polycythemia vera (a blood disorder in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells) Carbon monoxide exposure (usually related to smoking)

When to see a doctor for elevated RBC count?

Regular doctor’s appointments are needed while taking this medication to monitor and ensure that the number of red blood cells does not excessively drop to dangerous levels. An elevated RBC count is usually discovered when doctors order blood tests to help diagnose a patient’s condition.

What to do if your red blood count is high?

Treatment involves correcting the underlying problem through hydration and, if indicated, changing medications. Rarely, a cyst or tumor in the liver, brain or kidney stimulates production of a hormone called erythropoietin, or EPO, that enhances red blood cell production, according to the Merck Manual.

What could cause my red blood count to be elevated?

Dehydration may cause an elevated red blood cell count. Congenital heart disease present since birth could be indicated by a high red blood cell count.

What causes elevated RDW levels in the blood?

If your RDW is too high, it could be an indication of a nutrient deficiency , such as a deficiency of iron, folate, or vitamin B-12 . These results could also indicate macrocytic anemia, when your body doesn’t produce enough normal red blood cells, and the cells it does produce are larger than normal.

What causes elevated platelets and elevated RDW in the blood?

Other Causes. An elevated platelet count could also be casued by early chronic myelogenous leukemia , a malignant disorder that involves abnormal accumulation of white cells in the bone marrow and the blood stream, or by a recent splenectomy .

What causes elevated red blood cell count?

A high red blood cell count, also called polycythemia , can be caused by poor circulation to the kidneys, genetic heart problems, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis.