Final answer:
Phlebotomy is the procedure used to relieve symptoms in polycythemia vera by reducing the high red blood cell count. It is the primary treatment approach for managing the blood viscosity issues in this condition and does not encompass chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery which are generally utilized for cancer treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The procedure that is done to relieve symptoms in polycythemia vera is a) Phlebotomy. This treatment helps to reduce the high red blood cell count that characterizes polycythemia vera by removing blood from the body. This can alleviate the symptoms associated with increased blood viscosity, such as headaches, dizziness, and the risk of clotting. While other options like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery might be treatment methods for various types of cancer, they are not considered front-line therapies for the management of polycythemia vera symptoms. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy are more commonly associated with cancer treatments, whereas phlebotomy is a specific intervention used for conditions such as polycythemia vera where there is a need to decrease the red blood cell mass.