INDEPENDENCE DAY. On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States.
Polycythemia vera is a rare, chronic disorder involving the overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow (myeloproliferation). The overproduction of red blood cells is most dramatic, but the production of white blood cells and platelets are also elevated in most cases.
Jordanna Joaquina, MS, CGC. Most cases of polycythemia vera appeared to be caused by sporadic, somatic mutations as opposed to inherited mutations. Most cells in our body divide to make new cells. The DNA in those cells needs to be replicated for each new cell. Sporadic DNA changes can occur during cell division or DNA replication as well as with environment damage. Cancer is a multifactorial condition, which means that it involves a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. Some types of cancer have a stronger genetic component than others.