Polycythemia Vera (Primary Polycythemia) By Jane Liesveld, MD, James P Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center Reviewed / Revised Jul 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Prognosis Treatment Key Points Polycythemia vera is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by an increase in morphologically normal red cells (its hallmark), but also white cells and platelets.