Is there a connection betwen essential thrombocythemia and leukemia?

3-4% Leukemic risk: Essential thrombocythemia is a hyperproliferative disorder involving mainly the platelets with patients having high platelet counts of over 600, 000/ul without any apparent reason (like iron deficiency or presence of other malignancies). It can cause either bleeding or blood clots. Since the problem involves a "stem cell" in the bone marrow there is a chance of developing an acute leukemia in 3-4%.

Yes-5% risk: Essential thrombocythemia is part of myeloprolifeartive neoplasm umbrealla where in et the bone marrow for some uknown reason-proliferate too much platelet- that can go up above a million. They are abnormal and sticky platelet. Due to the abnormal level and function of platelet, there would be risk for blood clots as well as bleeding. The risk of et to develop into acute leukemia is about 5 %.