Correspondence
Congenital and Acquired Polycythemias: In Reply
Dtsch Arztebl Int 2008; 105(26): 480. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0481


Tsamaloukas mentioned new developments in anemia treatment that utilize novel insights into the molecular basis of the regulation of renal erythropoiesis; these are indeed fascinating. Discussing these would have exceeded the scope of our review. However, his wish for a current German language review article of primary myelofibrosis can be fulfilled (3). We thank Nieschlag for mentioning the special scenario of testosterone induced polycythemia in elderly men. The fact that androgens can increase erythropoiesis has been known for a long time (4). The conclusion from these observations is that the blood of patients receiving testosterone substitution should be monitored regularly. However, what is not known is whether androgen induced erythrocytosis is also associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic complications.
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0481
Prof. Dr. med. Petro E. Petrides
Hematology Oncology Center Isartor
Zweibrückenstr. 2
80331 München, Germany
petrides@onkologiemuenchen.de
1.
Modan B: Radiophosphorus therapy in polycythemia. Blood 1965; 26: 383–6. MEDLINE
2.
Petrides PE, Gisslinger H: CMPE 2004. Aktuelle Empfehlungen zur Diagnostik und Therapie chronisch myeloproliferativer Erkrankungen. München: Gesellschaft zur Erforschung chronisch myeloproliferativer Erkrankungen 2004; 1–33.
3.
Petrides PE: Primäre Myelofibrose: Diagnostik, Pathobiochemie und therapeutische Entwicklungen. Krebsmedizin 2007; 16: 191–7.
4.
Alexanian R: Erythropoietin excretion in man following androgens. Blood 1966; 28: 1007–9
1. | Modan B: Radiophosphorus therapy in polycythemia. Blood 1965; 26: 383–6. MEDLINE |
2. | Petrides PE, Gisslinger H: CMPE 2004. Aktuelle Empfehlungen zur Diagnostik und Therapie chronisch myeloproliferativer Erkrankungen. München: Gesellschaft zur Erforschung chronisch myeloproliferativer Erkrankungen 2004; 1–33. |
3. | Petrides PE: Primäre Myelofibrose: Diagnostik, Pathobiochemie und therapeutische Entwicklungen. Krebsmedizin 2007; 16: 191–7. |
4. | Alexanian R: Erythropoietin excretion in man following androgens. Blood 1966; 28: 1007–9 |