Chemotherapy resolves symptoms and reverses marrow fibrosis in myelofibrosis.

12 patients with symptomatic chronic myelofibrosis were treated with either busulphan or 6-thioguanine. Therapy was without significant side effects and resulted in a reduction in the size of liver and spleen and an improvement in well-being in all cases. In 7 patients the Hb value rose and the extent of marrow fibrosis was reduced in the 5 patients in whom bone marrow examination was repeated after treatment. Chemotherapy is an effective and safer alternative to splenectomy in patients with myelofibrosis with symptomatic anaemia, symptomatic splenomegaly or constitutional symptoms such as fever, weight loss and night sweats.