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Hypoplastic anemia,
refractory anemia or pan-myelo-phthisis
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- Of the many components that make up
the cells --e.g., red blood cells (carry oxygen), platelets
(stop bleeding), white blood cells (fight infection) -- all
are made in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is contained in
the long and pelvic bones of the body. When the bone marrow
is damaged or destroyed, the result is a lack of production
of the cellular productions of blood -- resulting in
aplastic anemia. Toxins, radiation, cancer chemotherapy, and
medications are the main causes of this
condition.
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- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Infections
- Nosebleeds
- Occult blood loss from the rectum
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding in gums
- Bleeding under
skin
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- Idiopathic (probably autoimmune --
the body mistakenly attacks the bone marrow)
- Diseases:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Post-hepatitis
- Congenital (Fanconi's anemia)
- Paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria
- AIDS
- Viral hepatitis
- Benzene
- Toluene
- Insecticides
- Chloramphenicol
- Phenylbutazone
- Gold Salts
- Sulfonamides
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Quinacrine
- Tolbutamide
- Cancer Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Pregnancy
- Some forms may be associated with thymomas (the types
that only affect red blood
cells)
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- Pale
- Red/purple blotchy rash
- Fine "red dot" rash
- Enlarged liver
- Enlarged spleen
- Swollen lymph glands
- Bone tenderness
- Complete blood count
shows anemia, decreased white blood cell count, decreased
platelets
- There may be blood in stool or
urinalysis.
- HLA testing -- a genetic marker is evident
- Bone marrow
biopsy
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- Supportive therapy such as oxygen
may be needed
- Blood Transfusions
- Platelet Transfusions
- Bone Marrow Transplantation
- Antithymocyte Globulin (suppresses
immune system to treat autoimmune cause, i.e., stops the
body from mistakenly attacking the bone marrow).
- Cyclosporin (used with
Antithymocyte Globulin)
- Cyclophosphamide and predisone are
also used in some cases.
- G-CSF & GM-CSF (stimulate white
blood cell production)
- Androgens (only works in a few
cases)
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-
You must
seek immediate medical attention. If not treated, there is
an 80% death rate in 3
months.
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