How long can one live with aplastic anemia?

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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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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What medicine is used for aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia, whether acute or chronic, primarily uses immunosuppressive agents and hematopoietic stimulants for treatment. Cyclosporine is commonly used clinically among immunosuppressants, while the medicines stimulating bone marrow hematopoiesis mainly include androgens such as danazol and stanozolol. These medications all have associated adverse reactions: immunosuppressants can lead to hypertension, hyperglycemia, impaired liver and kidney function, and gum hypertrophy, while the main adverse reactions of hematopoietic androgens are liver damage. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What medicine is used for aplastic anemia?

The main drugs used for aplastic anemia are immunosuppressants and cyclosporine. In addition to cyclosporine, low doses of hormones, androgens, and traditional Chinese medicine can also be used to stimulate bone marrow hematopoiesis. If the medication is effective, continue with oral administration; if ineffective, further consideration of bone marrow transplantation is needed. During the treatment process, it is necessary to regularly review the routine blood tests and, if necessary, provide support treatment with red blood cell and platelet transfusions.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
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Aplastic anemia is caused by how?

Aplastic anemia currently still has an uncertain etiology. However, clinical observations have suggested that chemotherapy drugs, viral infections, and radiation exposure might be related to the occurrence and development of aplastic anemia. Regardless of the cause, these factors all involve abnormalities in immune function. Abnormal immune function leads to the occurrence and development of aplastic anemia. Therefore, immunosuppressive therapy is often effective for patients with aplastic anemia in clinical settings. (Medication use should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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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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What to eat for aplastic anemia

Patients with aplastic anemia should eat light, easily digestible foods, and soft diet, avoiding too hard foods, and foods with spines or bones to prevent these foods from scratching the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and causing gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, patients with aplastic anemia must also take medications to control the progression of the disease, the related medications mainly include immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine, as well as hematopoietic stimulants and traditional Chinese medicine formulations. Hematopoietic drugs include androgens, such as danazol and stanozolol, etc., and traditional Chinese medicines include compound alumite pills, rejuvenating blood tablets, etc. (Please use specific medications under the guidance of a doctor, and do not self-medicate.)