Does Polychromasia Mean Cancer?

Key takeaways. Polychromasia can be a sign of a serious blood disorder, such as hemolytic anemia or blood cancer. Polychromasia, as well as the specific blood disorders that cause it, can be diagnosed via a blood smear test.

What does it mean to have polychromasia?

Polychromasia occurs on a lab test when some of your red blood cells show up as bluish-gray when they are stained with a particular type of dye. This happens when red blood cells are immature because they were released too early from your bone marrow.

Is Polycythemia a cancer?

Polycythemia vera (pol-e-sy-THEE-me-uh VEER-uh) is a type of blood cancer. It causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. These excess cells thicken your blood, slowing its flow, which may cause serious problems, such as blood clots. Polycythemia vera is rare.