Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

What term describes a neoplastic disease characterized by an excess of red blood cells?

1. Leukemia

2. Polycythemia Vera

3. Myeloma

4. Aplastic anemia

The correct answer is: Polycythemia Vera

The term that describes a neoplastic disease characterized by an excess of red blood cells is polycythemia vera. This condition is a type of blood cancer, specifically classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm. In polycythemia vera, there is uncontrolled proliferation of the myeloid lineage, leading to an overproduction of red blood cells, and often an increase in white blood cells and platelets as well. The disease is typically associated with a mutation in the JAK2 gene, which plays a crucial role in cell signaling and hematopoiesis (the formation of blood cellular components). The resultant high levels of red blood cells increase blood viscosity, which can lead to various complications such as thrombosis. It is important to accurately identify polycythemia vera because its management may differ from other blood disorders, and early diagnosis can help in mitigating risks associated with the disease. Other options presented refer to different conditions unrelated to the excess production of red blood cells: leukemia involves an increase in abnormal white blood cells, myeloma is associated with malignant plasma cells, and aplastic anemia is characterized by a failure of blood cell production leading to reduced blood counts.