Is aplastic anemia serious?

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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Whether aplastic anemia is severe depends on the specific circumstances of the aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia can be divided into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia. Among them, acute aplastic anemia has a sudden onset, more severe clinical symptoms, and a higher mortality rate, so it is relatively more severe. Chronic aplastic anemia has a slower onset, and the degree of decrease in blood cells is relatively mild, also making it less severe. However, in cases of acute aplastic anemia, if intensive immunotherapy is administered, the effectiveness can reach 60%-70%, and it can be cured through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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How long can one live with aplastic anemia?

The lifespan of patients with aplastic anemia depends on the type and the effectiveness of the treatment. Aplastic anemia is classified into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia. In cases of acute aplastic anemia, cure is possible through intensified immunotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; however, without aggressive treatment, the survival period is relatively short, generally not exceeding one year. Chronic aplastic anemia, on the other hand, has a longer medical history, and patients can often live for ten to twenty years or more. However, throughout this period, ongoing transfusions of red blood cells and platelets are required to support treatment.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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The main cause of aplastic anemia is.

The causes of aplastic anemia are considered to be of three types: abnormalities in hematopoietic stem cells, abnormalities in the bone marrow microenvironment, and abnormalities in immune factors. Among these, abnormalities in immune factors play a dominant role. Therefore, most patients with aplastic anemia see some improvement after receiving immunosuppressive therapy clinically. However, there is a small subset of patients with aplastic anemia for whom immunosuppressive therapy is not effective, and the causes of the disease in these patients are not well understood and may be congenital, such as congenital dyskeratosis.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Is aplastic anemia contagious?

Aplastic anemia is not contagious and has a minor hereditary factor, meaning that if a family member has aplastic anemia, it is generally not inherited by the next generation. The cause of aplastic anemia is still unclear, but possible reasons include: 1. Damage to hematopoietic stem cells. After the hematopoietic stem cells are damaged, it leads to limited stem cell proliferation and reduced hematopoiesis. 2. Damage to the hematopoietic microenvironment. Damage to the hematopoietic microenvironment can lead to changes that disrupt the regeneration of hematopoietic stem cells. 3. Immune factors. Immune factors can cause immune damage, directly damaging hematopoietic stem cells, thereby causing bone marrow regeneration disorders.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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The differences between aplastic anemia and megaloblastic anemia.

Aplastic anemia is a type of bone marrow failure syndrome where patients can present with reduced total blood cells in the peripheral blood, without enlargement of the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes, and an increased ratio of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Bone marrow indicates low regeneration, reduced hematopoietic tissue, and increased non-hematopoietic tissue, with the condition arising from changes in the bone marrow microenvironment leading to a reduction in blood cells. Megaloblastic anemia, also known as nutritional anemia, is primarily caused by a lack of folate and vitamin B12, leading to a red blood cell synthesis disorder and resulting in anemia. Severe megaloblastic anemia can also present with reduced total blood cells. However, the red blood cells typically exhibit macrocytic anemia. In contrast, aplastic anemia generally presents with normocytic anemia.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
52sec home-news-image

Is aplastic anemia serious?

Whether aplastic anemia is severe depends on the specific circumstances of the aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia can be divided into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia. Among them, acute aplastic anemia has a sudden onset, more severe clinical symptoms, and a higher mortality rate, so it is relatively more severe. Chronic aplastic anemia has a slower onset, and the degree of decrease in blood cells is relatively mild, also making it less severe. However, in cases of acute aplastic anemia, if intensive immunotherapy is administered, the effectiveness can reach 60%-70%, and it can be cured through hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.