Depression is common in people living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), but it is treatable, and getting help can make a real difference in daily life.
What are MPNs?
Myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of chronic blood cancers in which the bone marrow makes too many blood cells. The main types are polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and myelofibrosis (MF), and all can cause ongoing symptoms like fatigue, itching, night sweats, and “brain fog” that affect quality of life.
How common is depression in MPN?
In a large international survey, about 1 in 4 people with an MPN reported symptoms that put them at high risk for depression. Newer studies continue to show that many patients—especially those with more symptoms, younger patients, and women—experience significant distress, anxiety, or depression at some point during their illness.
Why does depression happen with MPN?
Living with a chronic cancer, dealing with fatigue, itching, pain, sleep problems, and uncertainty about the future can all wear down mood over time. Research shows that people with worse depression scores tend to have more severe MPN symptoms and poorer overall quality of life, suggesting that physical and emotional symptoms often feed into each other.
Signs and symptoms to watch for
Depression can look different from person to person, but common signs include:
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most days.
- Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy.
- Changes in sleep (too much or too little) and appetite.
- Trouble concentrating, feeling sluggish, or unusually irritable.
- Thoughts that life is not worth living or that others would be better off without you.
Studies in MPNs show that even “milder” depressive symptoms—like constant tiredness, feeling overwhelmed, or withdrawing from others—are linked with higher symptom scores and worse daily functioning.
If you notice these changes for more than two weeks, it is important to speak up.
Why it matters to treat depression
Depression is not “just part of having cancer.” It is a medical condition that can and should be treated. Recent work suggests that depression itself can drive MPN symptoms such as fatigue and pain, and that identifying and treating depression may improve symptom burden and possibly long-term outcomes.
How depression is treated
Effective treatments for depression in people with MPNs include:
- Counseling or talk therapy (such as cognitive‑behavioral therapy or mindfulness‑based approaches).
- Antidepressant medications, carefully chosen to work safely with your MPN treatments.
- Lifestyle approaches like regular gentle exercise, good sleep habits, relaxation or meditation, and meaningful social connection.
Experts recommend that depression and anxiety screening become a routine part of MPN care, using brief questionnaires that your clinic can administer at visits.When screening shows a problem, you may be referred to apsycho‑oncologist, social worker, counselor, or support group to build a plan that fits your goals and values.
Taking the next step
If you have an MPN and think you might be depressed, tell a member of your care team—your hematologist, nurse, or primary care doctor—and ask specifically about depression screening. It can help to bring a list of symptoms, note how long they have been present, and tell your team how they affect your ability to work, care for yourself, or enjoy daily activities.
Many patients find it helpful to:
- Bring a loved one to appointments to help explain changes they have noticed.
- Join an MPN support community to connect with others who understand what you are going through.
- Ask about local or online counseling resources, financial counseling, or patient navigators if stress about costs, work, or family is part of your distress.
You are not alone
Studies from around the world show that people living with MPNs often carry a heavy emotional as well as physical burden. Depression is common, real, and treatable—and reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Reference
Padrnos L, Scherber R, Geyer H, et al. Depressive symptoms and myeloproliferative neoplasms: Understanding the confounding factor in a complex condition. Cancer Med. Published online September 25, 2020. doi:10.1002/cam4.3380
