Long-term follow-up in polycythemia vera

67 patients with polycythemia vera, diagnosed and treated between 1963-1990, were analyzed retrospectively. The mean follow-up was 7.4 +/- 5.1 years and median actuarial overall survival 23.6 years. 50% were treated with a single chemotherapeutic agent, and 46% with combinations of agents. In only 4% was phlebotomy the sole treatment. There were hematological complications in 18%, thromboses in 18%, and bleeding in 21%.