Medical Is There Such a Thing as Erythrocyte Cancer?

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Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, do not undergo division, which means there is no specific cancer of erythrocytes. However, a related condition known as polycythemia vera exists, classified as a myeloproliferative disorder. This disorder leads to the overproduction of blood cells, particularly erythrocytes, in the bone marrow. While polycythemia vera is rare and can be managed, it may cause serious complications in advanced stages due to increased blood viscosity. The exact cause of this condition remains unknown.
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Is there such a thing as a cancer of erythrocytes? Just seems like it would be likely to happen but have never heard of such a thing. You make millions of them a day and the last step to maturation is to toss out the nucleus...sure is a lot to go wrong there.
 
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madcat8000 said:
Is there such a thing as a cancer of erythrocytes? Just seems like it would be likely to happen but have never heard of such a thing. You make millions of them a day and the last step to maturation is to toss out the nucleus...sure is a lot to go wrong there.

Mature RBCs (erythrocytes) to not divide, so there is no such thing as erythrocytic cancer per se . However there is a myeloproliferative disorder called polycythemia vera which is characterized by overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow where excess RBCs predominate. It's rare and can be treated. In its early stages it can be well tolerated, but advanced disease can lead to serious complications due to "thickened" blood. Its cause is unknown.
 
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