Why and how did my essential thrombocythemia (ET) arise? — Expert Video

In this video, Dr. Gabriela Hobbs explains that essential thrombocythemia (ET) usually develops later in life, most often diagnosed in people in their 60s, though about 20% are diagnosed before age 40. ET affects both men and women, with a slightly higher occurrence in women. While doctors do not know exactly why ET develops, it is caused by acquired genetic mutations in blood-forming stem cells. These mutations (most commonly JAK2, followed by CALR and MPL) cause the bone marrow to ignore normal signals and produce too many platelets, leading to the diagnosis of ET.

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