An increase in blood viscosity and volume occurs, which can cause vascular stasis, hemorrhagic diathesis, thromboses, and infarction. Enough of the depressing details. There is some encouraging information. Several treatments in combination with phlebotomy have proved more effective in reducing the incidence of long-term complications than phlebotomy alone. New protocols are usually compared with regular phlebotomy treatment by itself.
Median survival is in excess of ten years with regular phlebotomy exclusively.
Reducing these and other complications has been the primary focus of combination therapies. Regardless of the protocol selected, I highly recommend tolerance and persistence with frequent cell counts and phlebotomy as required, despite the discomfort. I don't recommend this protocol for individuals that are complication free. See pipobroman below. Chlorambucil, Busulfan Chlorambucil is an alkylating antineoplastic compound.