Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
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 make enough blood cells. All blood cell types are affected.
Causes Return to top
Secondary aplastic anemia results from injury to blood stem cells. Normal blood stem cells divide and differentiate into all blood cell types. Thus, when blood stem cells are injured, there is a reduction in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
This condition can be caused by chemotherapy, drug therapy to suppress the immune system, radiation therapy, toxins such as benzene or arsenic, drugs, pregnancy, and disorders present birth. When the cause is unknown, it is then referred to as idiopathic aplastic anemia.
The disease may be acute or chronic and usually gets worse unless the cause is removed.
Symptoms Return to top
Exams and Tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
In secondary aplastic anemia, removal of the cause 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, which shows up as a very low blood-cell count, is a life-threatening condition. A bone marrow transplant is indicated for younger patients with 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. 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 cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Corticosteroids and androgens have also been used.
Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top
Untreated aplastic anemia is an illness that leads to rapid death. Bone marrow transplant has been successful in young people, with a long-term survival rate of 80%. Older people have a survival rate of 40 - 70%.
Possible Complications Return to top
When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top
Call your health care provider if bleeding occurs for no reason.
Prevention Return to top
Secondary aplastic anemia may be an unavoidable consequence of treatments such as chemotherapy. Avoid toxins such as benzene and arsenic, if possible.
Update Date: 10/30/2006 Updated by: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Disclaimers | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 25 September 2008 |