Final answer:
The form of polycythemia that usually results from bone marrow cancer, leading to an elevated hematocrit of up to 80%, is known as polycythemia vera. This disease not only increases red blood cell production but also raises blood viscosity, posing cardiovascular risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of polycythemia usually due to bone marrow cancer, which can lead to a hematocrit of 80%, is known as polycythemia vera.Polycythemia vera is a type of blood disorder that results from a mutation within the body's bone marrow cells, leading to the overproduction of red blood cells. This condition can manifest with a significantly elevated hematocrit level, which is a measure of how much of the blood volume is made up of red blood cells.
A normal hematocrit is about 45 percent, but in polycythemia vera, it can exceed 50 percent and even reach as high as 80 percent in some extreme cases. This disease increases the viscosity of the blood and can result in complications like high blood pressure and an increased risk of thrombosis, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently. Polycythemia vera is relatively rare, more commonly found in males than in females, and generally occurs in those over the age of 60.