Aplastic anemia medical therapy: Difference between revisions
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* Older people may be less able to handle the treatments needed to prepare the body for the transplant. They're also more likely to have complications after the transplant. | * Older people may be less able to handle the treatments needed to prepare the body for the transplant. They're also more likely to have complications after the transplant. | ||
* Medications are used to: | * Medications are used to: | ||
** Stimulate bone marrow (erythropoietin and colony-stimulating factors). These medicines have some risks. However, if this treatment works well, it can help avoid the need for blood transfusions. | ** '''Stimulate bone marrow''' (erythropoietin and colony-stimulating factors). These medicines have some risks. However, if this treatment works well, it can help avoid the need for blood transfusions. | ||
** Suppress immune system - Medicines that suppress the immune system don't cure aplastic anemia. However, they can relieve its symptoms and reduce complications. These medicines often are used for people who can't have blood and marrow stem cell transplants or who are waiting for transplants. Medications commonly used are: antithymocyte globulin (ATG), cyclosporine, and methylprednisolone. Medicines that suppress the immune system can have side effects. They also may increase the risk of developing leukemia or myelodysplasia | ** '''Suppress immune system''' - Medicines that suppress the immune system don't cure aplastic anemia. However, they can relieve its symptoms and reduce complications. These medicines often are used for people who can't have blood and marrow stem cell transplants or who are waiting for transplants. Medications commonly used are: antithymocyte globulin (ATG), cyclosporine, and methylprednisolone. Medicines that suppress the immune system can have side effects. They also may increase the risk of developing leukemia or myelodysplasia | ||
** Prevent and treat infections - antibiotic and antiviral medicines to prevent and treat infections. | ** '''Prevent and treat infections''' - antibiotic and antiviral medicines to prevent and treat infections. | ||
** It may take a few months to notice the effects of these medicines. Most often, as blood cell counts rise, symptoms lessen. | ** It may take a few months to notice the effects of these medicines. Most often, as blood cell counts rise, symptoms lessen. | ||
* Blood cell counts in people who respond well to these medicines usually don't reach normal levels. | * Blood cell counts in people who respond well to these medicines usually don't reach normal levels. |
Revision as of 15:05, 24 September 2012
Aplastic anemia Microchapters |
Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
Case Studies |
Aplastic anemia medical therapy On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Aplastic anemia medical therapy |
Risk calculators and risk factors for Aplastic anemia medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.D. [2]
Overview
Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medicines.
Medical therapy
- Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medicines.
- These treatments can prevent or limit complications, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.
- Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may cure the disorder in some people who are eligible for a transplant.
- Removing a known cause of aplastic anemia, such as exposure to a toxin, also may cure the condition.
- People who have mild or moderate aplastic anemia may not need treatment as long as the condition doesn't get worse.
- People who have severe aplastic anemia need medical treatment right away to prevent complications.
- People who have very severe aplastic anemia need emergency medical care in a hospital. Very severe aplastic anemia can be fatal if it's not treated right away.
- Blood transfusions can help keep blood cell counts at acceptable levels.
- Blood transfusions help relieve the symptoms of aplastic anemia, but they're not a permanent treatment.
- A blood and marrow stem cell transplant replaces damaged stem cells with healthy ones from another person (a donor).
- During the transplant, which is like a blood transfusion, you get donated stem cells through a tube placed in a vein in your chest. Once the stem cells are in your body, they travel to bone marrow and begin making new blood cells.
- Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may cure aplastic anemia in people who can have this type of treatment.
- The transplant works best in children and young adults with severe aplastic anemia who are in good health and who have matched donors.
- Older people may be less able to handle the treatments needed to prepare the body for the transplant. They're also more likely to have complications after the transplant.
- Medications are used to:
- Stimulate bone marrow (erythropoietin and colony-stimulating factors). These medicines have some risks. However, if this treatment works well, it can help avoid the need for blood transfusions.
- Suppress immune system - Medicines that suppress the immune system don't cure aplastic anemia. However, they can relieve its symptoms and reduce complications. These medicines often are used for people who can't have blood and marrow stem cell transplants or who are waiting for transplants. Medications commonly used are: antithymocyte globulin (ATG), cyclosporine, and methylprednisolone. Medicines that suppress the immune system can have side effects. They also may increase the risk of developing leukemia or myelodysplasia
- Prevent and treat infections - antibiotic and antiviral medicines to prevent and treat infections.
- It may take a few months to notice the effects of these medicines. Most often, as blood cell counts rise, symptoms lessen.
- Blood cell counts in people who respond well to these medicines usually don't reach normal levels.
- However, the blood cell counts often are high enough to allow people to do their normal activities.
Medical Therapy
Supportive Care in treatment of aplastic anemia [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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Supportive Care
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Specific Treatment of Aplastic Anaemia: General Comments [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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General Comments
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Specific Treatment of Aplastic Anaemia: Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA)-identical Sibling Donor Transplantation [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA)-identical Sibling Donor Transplantation
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Specific Treatment of Aplastic Anaemia: Immunosuppressive Therapy: ATG and Ciclosporin [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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Immunosuppressive Therapy: ATG and Ciclosporin
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Specific Treatment of Aplastic Anaemia: Trial Therapy or Clinical Research Protocols [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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Trial Therapy or Clinical Research Protocols
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Specific Treatment of Aplastic Anaemia: Management of Aplastic Anaemia in the Presence of an Abnormal Cytogenetic Clone [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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Management of Aplastic Anaemia in the Presence of an Abnormal Cytogenetic Clone
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Specific Treatment of Aplastic Anaemia: Management of Aplastic Anaemia in the Presence of an Abnormal Cytogenetic Clone [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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Management of Aplastic Anaemia in the Presence of an Abnormal Cytogenetic Clone
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Specific Treatment of Aplastic Anaemia: Management of Aplastic Anaemia in Pregnancy [1] (DONOT EDIT)
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Management of Aplastic Anaemia in Pregnancy
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