Secondary aplastic anemia

Alternative names:

acquired aplastic anemia; anemia - secondary aplastic

Treatment:

Mild cases of aplastic anemia are 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 people 40 and under is indicated in a severe case of the disease. For adults over 40, 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 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 to 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.