Which is more severe, aplastic anemia or leukemia?

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Aplastic anemia is not leukemia. Leukemia is characterized by more than 20% primary cells in the bone marrow being classified as leukemia. Aplastic anemia, on the other hand, is a bone marrow failure disease, characterized by a reduction in hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow, leading to a decrease in all blood cells. Aplastic anemia can be divided into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia. Acute aplastic anemia has a rapid onset, severe condition, and high mortality rate, while chronic aplastic anemia has a slow onset, longer disease history, and lower mortality rate. Treatment for acute aplastic anemia requires intensified immunotherapy or syngeneic complete match transplantation, whereas treatment for chronic aplastic anemia mainly involves promotive hematopoietic therapy.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Does aplastic anemia cause fever?

Aplastic anemia itself does not cause fever in patients; however, individuals with aplastic anemia experience a decrease in all blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. A significant reduction in white blood cells, such as in a state of neutropenia, can lower a patient's resistance to infections, which makes it easy for secondary infections to occur and thus induce fever. Furthermore, in cases of severe anemia, severe aplastic anemia can also lead to the occurrence of low-grade fever in patients. On the other hand, a reduction in platelets generally does not cause fever. Therefore, when a patient with aplastic anemia has a fever, it is important to determine the cause of the fever.

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Written by Peng Miao Yun
Internal Medicine
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The main diagnostic basis for aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia is caused by a variety of reasons leading to bone marrow hematopoietic failure. So, what is the main diagnostic basis for diagnosing aplastic anemia? It is primarily the bone marrow examination, which shows decreased or severely decreased proliferation at least in one site, such as active proliferation, significant reduction in megakaryocytes, and an increase in non-hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow's granular components. Additionally, there can be a decrease in total blood cells, white cells, red cells, etc., and a reduction in the absolute value of reticulocytes.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Is aplastic anemia contagious?

Aplastic anemia is a bone marrow failure disease and is not infectious; it cannot be transmitted. Aplastic anemia is considered a hematological disorder and should be routinely diagnosed and treated in the department of hematology. It falls under the category of bone marrow failure diseases, and its main clinical manifestations are infection, anemia, and bleeding, with a complete blood count showing a decrease in all blood cells. Patients with aplastic anemia can be divided into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia, and there are some differences in the treatment of the two.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Aplastic anemia is a disease.

Aplastic anemia is a bone marrow failure syndrome, which simply means that the bone marrow's function to produce blood cells is impaired, and it cannot produce the blood cells needed by a normal body. Clinically, it manifests as a series of symptoms caused by the reduction of all blood cells. A reduction in white blood cells can lead to infections in various systems, such as fever, cough, sputum, abdominal pain, diarrhea, frequent urination, urgent urination, and pain during urination. A reduction in red blood cells leads to anemia, which can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, chest tightness, and palpitations. A decrease in platelets can lead to spontaneous bleeding, such as bleeding in the mouth, gums, and nose, and in severe cases, even cerebral hemorrhage.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Can aplastic anemia have children?

Acute aplastic anemia, after effective immunotherapy and discontinuation of medication for more than two years, or after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and discontinuation of medication for more than two years, it is possible to have children. In cases of chronic aplastic anemia, due to long-term oral intake of immunosuppressants and hematopoietic stimulants, having children is not advised. However, if immunosuppressants and hematopoietic drugs are effective and discontinued for more than two years, and blood levels are acceptable, then it is possible to have children.