Polycythemia vera: aspects of its current diagnosis and initial treatment.

A bone marrow biopsy in PV is essential for diagnosis and baseline histomorphology. Both hematocrit and red cell counts should be controlled with both phlebotomy (PHL) and cytoreductive agents. PHL alone is often inadequate on the long-term and cytoreduction needed for most. Interferon is our preferred first-line agent due to improved survival outcomes. Short-term biomarkers predictive of long-term outcomes are needed to guide optimal therapy and development of new treatments.