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Aplastic Anemia
What is Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow stops or slows down production of all three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A reduced number of red blood cells causes the hemoglobin to drop, while a reduced number of white blood cells reduces the ability to fight infections. A reduced number of platelets prohibits the blood from clotting. A rare and serious condition, aplastic anemia can develop at any age. The physicians at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center (RMCC) and the Rocky Mountain Blood and Marrow Transplant Program (RMBMTP) are specialists in the care of patients with blood disorders such as aplastic anemia.
What causes aplastic anemia?
Aplastic anemia can be caused by a variety of things or can occur sporadically for no known reason. Sometimes it is a result of a previous illness or disorder. Causes for aplastic anemia may include a history of certain infectious diseases (like hepatitis), history of taking certain medications like antibiotics and anticonvulsants, exposure to certain toxins such as heavy metals, exposure to radiation, history of an autoimmune disease, or an inherited condition.
How is aplastic anemia diagnosed?
Although individuals may experience symptoms differently, the most common symptoms of aplastic anemia are headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, bruising, lack of energy and tiring easily, pale skin, blood in the stool, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, fevers, sinus tenderness, enlarged liver or spleen, and oral thrush. These symptoms may look like other medical problems, so a doctor’s diagnosis is critical. In addition to a complete physical examination and medical history, the doctor may rely on additional blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy to diagnose aplastic anemia.
Aplastic anemia is classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) is life-threatening and may require immediate hospitalization and treatment. Moderate and mild aplastic anemia is still serious, but usually does not require hospitalization to treat.
What are the treatment options?
Treatment for aplastic anemia is based on the patient’s age, overall health, medical history and extent of the disease.
- blood transfusions (both red blood cells and platelets)
- antibiotics
- immunosuppressive therapy (cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, ATG, antithymocyte globulin, or steroids.)
- blood or marrow transplantation (BMT)
BMT is highly effective for treating SAA if done promptly using a well-matched donor. With prompt treatment, up to 90% of patients with SAA can be cured. Urgent referral to a transplant center is required for all patients with SAA.
Other treatments, including administering growth factor drugs, male hormones, and peripheral stem cell transplants are sometimes recommended.
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RECENT NEWS |
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New drug combination brings 1-2 punch against acute leukemia
Researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a drug combination that kills leukemia cells by shutting down their energy source and hastening cell starvation.
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Mile High Amazing Race Downtown Denver 5/17
Get ready for the most AMAZING RACE for Life! Many have seen the television show; now here's a chance to race in your own adventure! The 2nd Annual Mile High Amazing race to Benefit The Leukemia, Lymphoma's Society is a one-day event that will be on Saturday, May 17, 2007 in Downtown Denver.
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Stem Cell Transplant Procedures Vary Throughout the World
Stem cell transplant practices vary substantially among physicians treating adults and children with hematologic malignancies (cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukemias and lymphomas). These findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Arsenic-based therapy shown to help eradicate leukemia-initiating cells
In both leukemia and solid tumors, there exists among the multitude of warrior cancer cells a small subgroup that work undercover, patiently lying in wait to launch their attacks. Known as either cancer initiating cells (CICs) or leukemia initiating cells (LICs), these stealth populations are impervious to conventional chemotherapy and undaunted by targeted cancer therapies. When a leukemia patient relapses following a period of remission, it is the LICs that bear responsibility for the disease's reemergence.
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Lenalidomide raises clot risk in multiple myeloma patients
Thromboembolic events are increased in patients undergoing lenalidomide-based therapy for multiple myeloma, US and Italian researchers report. Aspirin prophylaxis appears to reduce this risk.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Young Adult Support Group
If you are between the ages of 17 and 27 and are coping with cancer or a blood disorder, please join us.
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Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Family Support Groups
Looking for support aournd a diagnosis of Leukemia, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or Myeloma? The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offers support groups for patients, family members, friends, a.
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Family Member and Caregiver Support Group
A weekly group for family members and caregivers of BMT patients to give and receive support, ask questions, swap ideas, be heard, listen and take a break.
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BMT Reunion Pictures
Attention BMT Reunion Participants
Please click on the link below to view the pictures from the BMT Patient/Caregiver Reunion that was held on Saturday, October 13th, 2007.
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RECENT CLINICAL TRIALS |
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Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate Mofetil as Post-Grafting Immunosuppression after Conditioning with Fludarabine and Low-Dose Total Body Irradiation for Recipients of HLA Matched Family Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplants
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02057 - A Randomized Trial of Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim) Versus Neupogen (Filgrastim) to Treat Neutropenia Post-Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
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Treatment of Relapsed or Primary Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma with High-Dose CBV Followed by Autologous Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Rescue
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Urine Characteristics of Chronic Renal Dysfunction Following Myeloablative and Non-Myeloablative Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
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1581 - Allogeneic Nonmyeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Patients with STI-571 Responsive Ph+ Acute Leukemia - Multi-Center Trial
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RECENT PATIENT STORIES |
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Bob Heykoop
"People caring about one another represents life's greatest value." – Jim Rohn
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George Poynter
George Poynter would not be here today without the Rocky Mountain Blood and Marrow Transplant Program and its medical director, Dr. Jeff Matous.
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Maggie Brunner
In the weeks leading up to her transplant, Maggie Brunner and her husband had to ask each other some difficult questions.
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Leslie Szabo
What surprised Leslie most after her transplant was how long it took her to get back to what could be considered a relatively normal life.
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Janice Gangl
Not knowing what was wrong with me for so long was really terrifying.
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