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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Can aplastic anemia be cured?

Aplastic anemia is divided into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia. Acute aplastic anemia can be cured by intensive immunotherapy or syngeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, not all cases of acute aplastic anemia can be cured by these two treatments, with the cure rate being approximately 60%-70%. For chronic aplastic anemia, the main treatment currently is oral immunosuppressive therapy, which usually cannot cure the condition unless allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is performed. However, if patients with chronic aplastic anemia are on oral immunosuppressive therapy, they can maintain a relatively good condition and typically do not opt for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

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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.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What are the symptoms of aplastic anemia?

The symptoms of aplastic anemia include three main symptoms: firstly, infections; secondly, anemia; and thirdly, bleeding. Infections occur due to a decrease in white blood cells, especially neutrophils, resulting in poor resistance in patients making them susceptible to subsequent infections, including infections of the lungs, digestive system, urinary system, and skin and mucous membranes. Anemia occurs due to a reduction in red blood cells, causing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, fatigue, reduced tolerance to physical activity, and poor appetite. A reduction in platelets significantly increases the risk of bleeding, especially when platelets are less than 20 times 10 to the ninth power per liter, which can lead to bleeding in the skin, mucous membranes, organs, and even cerebral hemorrhage.

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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 Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Can aplastic anemia patients eat peanuts and red dates?

Aplastic anemia patients can eat peanuts and red dates, but peanuts and red dates do not have a therapeutic effect on aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia is a type of bone marrow failure disease, hence patients with aplastic anemia may have symptoms such as anemia, decreased white blood cells, and reduced platelets. The mechanism of the disease is mainly due to abnormal immune functions, and treatment primarily involves the use of immunosuppressants. Although peanuts and red dates are traditionally considered to have blood-enriching effects, this belief is not scientifically based. Many people think red dates can enrich blood, yet they only contain a small amount of iron, which might help patients with iron-deficiency anemia to some extent, but they are ineffective for aplastic anemia.