PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Secondary polycythemia can occur if the increase in red blood cells is not due to the myeloproliferative disease of PV. The overproduction of blood cells in secondary polycythemia is limited to the red blood cells. Causes of secondary polycythemia include: being at a very high altitude.

Detailed explanation-2: -Polycythemia is a blood disorder occurring when there are too many red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs through the blood stream to the rest of the body. The excess red blood cells cause the blood to increase in volume and thicken, keeping it from flowing easily.

Detailed explanation-3: -What causes polycythemia vera? Polycythemia vera is caused by a genetic change (mutation) that develops during your lifetime. It is not an inherited genetic disorder. In most cases it is not known why this happens.