Secondary aplastic anemia

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Bone marrow aspiration

Secondary aplastic anemia

Alternative Names:

Anemia - secondary aplastic; Acquired aplastic anemia
Treatment:

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.

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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 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide). Corticosteroids and androgens have also been used.

Expectations (prognosis):

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 - 70%.

Complications:

Infection
Cerebral hemorrhage
Death caused by bleeding, infectious complications of bone marrow transplant, rejection of bone marrow graft, or severe reaction to antithymocyte globulin (ATG)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if bleeding occurs for no reason.