This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: None, Subject name: Pathology
A patient presents with a platelet count of 700 x 109/L with abnormalities in size, shape and granularity of platelets. WBC count of 12 x 109 /L, hemoglobin of 11g/dl and the absence of the Philadelphia chromosome. The most likely diagnosis would be- 
Select and explain. 
A. Polycythemia vera, B. Essential thrombocythemia, C. Chronic myeloid leukemia, D. Leukemoid reaction
B: Essential thrombocythemia
Answer: B: Essential thrombocythemia 
Explanation: None