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Alternative names Return to top
Anemia - secondary aplastic; Acquired aplastic anemiaDefinition Return to top
Secondary aplastic anemia is a failure of the bone marrow to form enough blood cells. All blood cell types are affected.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Secondary aplastic anemia results from injury to stem cells. Normal stem cells divide and differentiate into all blood cell types. Thus, when stem cells are injured, there is a reduction in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
In secondary aplastic anemia, removal of the causative agent is critical, and in some cases can lead to recovery.
Mild cases of aplastic anemia may be treated with supportive care or may require no treatment. Blood transfusions and platelet transfusions will help correct the abnormal blood counts and relieve some symptoms, in moderate cases.
Severe aplastic anemia, as evidenced by very low blood-cell counts, is a life-threatening condition. A bone marrow transplant for younger patients is indicated in a severe case of the disease. For older patients, or for those who do not have a matched bone marrow donor, antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is the alternative treatment.
ATG is a horse serum that contains antibodies against human T cells, and it is used in an attempt to suppress the body's immune system, allowing the bone marrow to resume its blood-cell generating function. Other medications to suppress the immune system may be used, such as cyclosporine and Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide). Corticosteroids and androgens have also been used.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Untreated aplastic anemia is an illness that leads to rapid death. Bone marrow transplantation has been successful in young people with a long-term survival rate of 80%. Older people have a survival rate of 40 to 70%.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if bleeding occurs for no reason.Prevention Return to top
This may be an unavoidable consequence of treatments such as chemotherapy. Avoid toxins such as benzene or arsenic if possible. Update Date: 5/6/2003 Updated by: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |