This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Myeloproliferative Disorders, Subject name: Pathology
A patient presented with a platelet count of 700 x 109/L with abnormalities in size, shape and granularity of platelets. WBC count of 8 x109 L, hemoglobin of 12 g/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: A patient presents with thrombocytosis with abnormalities in size, shape and granularity of platelets, with normal WBC count & hemoglobin and the absence of the Philadelphia chromosome. The most likely diagnosis in this case would be Essential Thrombocythemia